Leaving a legacy of kindness
A DURBAN dentist and author, described as having a heart of gold, was recently presented with the Skisa Trust Lifetime Achievement Award for his sterling efforts in helping uplift communities and schools.
“I feel privileged because I am receiving an award that has been given to really prominent people,” 78-year-old Dr Adam Mahomed told POST.
The previous recipients included Nelson Mandela, activist Ela Gandhi, Professor Jairam Reddy and former minister of public service and administration, Roy Padayachie.
The Pinetown dentist dedicated the “prestigious” award to his wife and daughters.
“It’s not about me and recognising me. It is rather recognising my wife Noorjehan and daughters Shamima, Humeira and Nadia, who are all now late.
“I do everything in their name and I don’t want the world to forget them.
“Receiving the award evoked many emotions but the biggest one was sadness for my family.
“There’s so many memories that flashed back for me and I was proud that I did it for them,” he said.
The author of Journey into he Unknown was recognised
for his work in the fields of healthcare and education at a ceremony at the Durban University of Technology recently.
He said he began his humanitarian work in the early 1970s.
“I was part of the South African Students Association and we used to do outreach work. I was the first person to open a dentist surgery in Chatsworth and seeing the economic hardships they faced, I would sometimes treat them for free.
“When I lost my three daughters in an accident, my wife and I focused a lot of our attention on funding and aiding people or organisations
that needed help.
We built the first hearing assessment centre, Shahumna Assessment Centre, in Durban and contributed funds towards the Chatsworth Hospice and the Chatsworth Rotary Club. A bursary fund was even set up in my wife’s name to assist students’ tertiary studies.”
He continued: “I believe money is nothing. We all have a bigger purpose and once we realise what it is, we will realise that by giving, we receive more.
If God gives you, use what you have to educate someone or give to others.
“I have always found that I
feel much better after giving. When we go, what do we leave behind? It’s only our legacy that we leave.”
The Skisa (Shotokan Karate-do International South Africa) awards, by Sonny Pillay Hanshi, selects personalities from all walks of life who contribute towards bettering the lives of others.
Pillay took to Facebook saying: “Congrats on your Skisa Trust Lifetime Achievement Award Dr Adam Mahomed. Stay blessed… your charitable work amongst the physically handicapped and other areas of life in general remains noteworthy.”