Celebrating Ashwin Trikamjee: 50 years as an attorney

ON APRIL 23, 1974, before the Honourable Mr Justice Shearer and Mr Justice Hoexter, 29-year-old Ashwin Hirjee Trikamjee stood in what we then called the Supreme Court of South Africa, Natal Provincial Division, and took an oath that he would truly and honestly conduct himself in the practice of a legal practitioner according to the best of his knowledge and ability, and further that he would be faithful to the Republic of South Africa.

There is no doubt that Ashwin in taking that oath committed himself from that day to its fulfilment.

Ashwin’s commitment to justice, equality and a truly free South Africa began long before he stood in the High Court in 1974. At school he was a member of the African People’s Democratic Union of SA, and while at university he was earmarked for his political activity which were perceived as a threat to the ruling (National) party of the day.

But nothing deterred Ashwin in the pursuit of a better South Africa and over the next few decades he addressed audiences nationally and internationally, presenting papers in conferences promoting civil rights and upholding the rule of law.

Holding numerous high-profile positions, which included that of president of the Natal Law Society (as it was then), vice-president and president of the Association of Law Societies of SA, chairperson of the African Regional Forum of the International Bar Association and member of the Human Rights Committee of the IBA, non-executive director of the South African Red Cross Society, and vice-president of the SA Football Association, Ashwin has demonstrated a deep commitment to South Africa, the development of its society through participation in sport, the promotion of humanitarian aid under the auspices of the Red Cross, and the furtherance and development of legal education.

There are few practising attorneys today who have not benefited from Ashwin’s legendary bookkeeping course, conducted by him at the request of the

Legal Practice Council, and many a candidate attorney has been heard saying “if you want to pass bookkeeping you need Ashwin”.

A deeply religious man, Ashwin’s devotion to his spiritual beliefs extends to the way he lives his life. He conducts his relationships with others with respect, humility, tolerance and courtesy. Not someone who raises his voice, he nonetheless commands both attention and respect of everyone he interacts with.

He takes care of the gift of life he has received and as he approaches the age of 80 later this year, he is still playing squash twice a week and looks no different to the way he looked when he joined Garlicke and Bousfield Inc in 1993, some 31 years ago.

We congratulate Ashwin on a distinguished legal career to date and the attainment of this important milestone.

We thank him for his contribution to Garlicke and Bousfield Inc, and to all those legal practitioners who today owe their own admission as attorneys to his selfless training and guidance.

AT the meeting of Confederation of African Football representing the South African Football Association with Professor Gadinabokao and the late Stix Morewa. This was the meeting where South Africa was formally accepted as a member.

WITH Ishwar Amin outside the Supreme Court on the day of admission. Amin, now late, was Trikamjee’s then principal and later partner in the firm, Amin & Trikamjee.

Independent Newspapers ASHWIN Trikamjee in his home. | KHAYA NGWENYA

| Supplied ASHWIN Trikamjee took the oath of office on April 23, 1969.