By SIVA NAIDOO: Former President of the Tongaat Child Welfare Society and Tongaat Civic Association
THE news of Nazir Sadack’s passing has saddened many of us who are community activists. Nazir was undeniably one of the finest community volunteers that Tongaat has ever produced. This vibrant young man, full of energy, made a profound impact on the Tongaat community in numerous ways. He loved Tongaat and its people, considering them his second family and serving selflessly without expecting anything in return.
I vividly recall when he first cut his teeth at the Tongaat Child Welfare Society in 1991 during our very first Charity Fair. In the prime of his youth, he co coordinated the parking marshals at the Fair. While many might consider this a menial task, Nazir did not. He built a team around him, got to know the other volunteers, and developed a solid camaraderie among them. At the Tongaat Child Welfare Society, he honed his leadership skills, working alongside seasoned activists of that time.
Nazir went on to play prominent leadership roles in various community structures in Tongaat, including the Panthers Athletic Club, the Tongaat Sports Council, the Tongaat Community Policing Forum, the Swans Dart Club and more recently, the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Here was a people-centered leader. Though generally quiet and unassuming, Nazir held various leadership roles with remarkable passion and sincerity.
As tributes pour in for this unsung hero, we glean many lessons from his short but illustrious life. He showed us what it means to love, to care and share, and to serve with humility. He was undeniably a spiritual being having a human experience—a real gentleman, a man for all seasons, but most importantly, a man who lived by the master values of Truth, Right Conduct, Peace, and Non-Violence. He was a sevadar par excellence, and his life stands as a testament to someone who viewed service as the highest form of worship.
Nazir left an indelible mark on the Tongaat community. He will forever be remembered as a gentle giant—an extraordinary human who raised the bar on selfless service.
Go well Nazir, until we meet again.
With love and light,