Remembering Dr J.N. Reddy

In memory of my grandfather, Dr Jayaram "JN" Reddy.

Dr Jayaram "JN" Reddy — a man who, through his vision, leadership and foresight, made an indelible mark on the life of the community he served.

Below is an abridged version of a living eulogy written by Yogin Devan for POST in July 2016. I share it here, on the road to Kali, as a small act of remembrance.

Dr Reddy began his working life as a junior customs clerk and rose to the position of consultant in the freight forwarding and customs clearing division, specialising in customs tariff classifications and the application of import and export duties.

With twenty years of in-depth experience in shipping, Dr Reddy launched his own company, Sealandair Shipping and Forwarding (Pty) Ltd, breaking the stranglehold by whites in this area of business.

Dr Reddy's pioneering work with the launching of the New Republic Bank paved the way for other similar institutions like the African Bank. It was only after NRB came into being that the white banking sector responded positively to the appeal made over several decades for the employment of personnel of colour.

While serving on the councils of both the University of Durban-Westville and the ML Sultan Technikon, Dr Reddy initiated discussions with Sasol, Eskom, Iscor and Telkom and prevailed on these groups to provide training and employment for apprentices and technicians.

Thanks to Dr Reddy's endeavours, hundreds of young Indians landed jobs in Sasolburg and Secunda as coded welders, boilermakers, fitters and turners, plumbers and electricians.

When the granting of articles for Indians training as chartered accountants was blocked by the all-white Natal Society of Accountants, Dr Reddy accepted the challenge, marshalled the support of white business associates, and confronted the Society — which was ultimately persuaded to change its policy.

The training of Indians as telephone technicians was blocked by the Postal Staff Association until Dr Reddy prevailed on the then Minister of Post and Telegraphs to urge the Association to lift the ban.

He also brought pressure to bear on the government to provide incentives to enable Indian businessmen to promote industrial activity in Stanger, Verulam, Tongaat, Pietermaritzburg, Port Shepstone and Umzinto, creating work opportunities where there had been none.

Over a period spanning more than four decades, Dr Reddy worked relentlessly for the upliftment and the economic and social wellbeing of the underprivileged — especially in opening up work opportunities in a variety of fields historically denied to people of colour.

It was through his leadership that battles were won to create jobs that put food on the table. Many successful families can attribute their happiness to the vision and courage displayed by Dr Reddy.

On behalf of the many people who owe Dr Reddy a debt of gratitude for his public-spirited nature and for giving them a political voice, I say:

Thank you. Nanri. Shukriyaa. Dankie. Ngiyabonga.

We salute a tireless worker who got things done. May his soul rest in peace.

Eulogy by Yogin Devan, first published in POST, July 2016. Reproduced with love by his granddaughter, Pashi Reddy — author of The Road to Kali.