ANC bids farewell to Lenasia’s Principal Freedom Fighter           

THE ANC Lenasia branch paid glowing tribute and bid farewell to one of Lenasia’s most recognized son’s and political figures Ram Salojee at the Nirvana Secondary School Hall.
The invitation for the event said that Salojee was to retire from public life, but he was adamant that it was not correct as he would continue in his efforts of community service. However, Salojee was retiring from public political office.
It was a momentous moment when the doctor related his early experiences that led him almost by chance into politics and a fighter for human rights and justice. A selfless man indeed who was never after any public accolade who would now probably want some quite time with his more than dedicated wife Sarah, children and grandchildren.
Now it will need to be seen if Salojee uses the retirement reclining chair presented to him at the meeting by the ANC Lenasia branch. It does not seem so for a man who serves on almost 200 organisations.
The well attended meeting on 22 February included many luminaries such as Ahmed Kathrada, Vally Moosa, Lindi Maseko (Chief Whip of Gauteng Legislature), and Laloo “Isu” Chiba among others.
Salojee’s grandson Nabeel took the podium and very affectionately said: “This is the end of a life-long journey for my granddad and the beginning of a relaxing one, to spend more time with us and grandmother.
“My grandfather epitomised tolerance, peace, compassion, humility, the most principled human being and a role model for life.”
His son Mahmood, said about his father: “A man who wrote about injustice and tyranny, challenged rulers of the day and served humanity. He was a true activist and belonged to approximately 200 organisations at one time or the other in his 50 years of services to humanity.”
Lindi Maseko, Chief Whip of the Gauteng Legislature informed the gathering that salojee was always on time for work, honest in his views, his wisdom kept them abreast and above all matters, and “people were healed with his medicine within him.” He was a role model and an inspiration to all who worked with him. And he could have made “lots of money”, but, preferred to serve the community.”
She saluted him for having served and run the race and stated he was an “exceptional”
person and will, despite “retirement from the political arena, call upon him for his advice and wisdom.”
Valli Moosa, member of the national ANC executive, reminisced of his days in Lenasia, and cited one example that reflected the Ram’s calibre. One afternoon they had walked to the doctor’s home to seek permission and discuss with him on being their leader. Salojee replied: “What is there to discuss?” And the rest was history.
In the years that of his association with Salojee in the struggle, Moosa found him “to be a free thinker and did things always right.” As a leader of the “refugees” in Lenasia and when the demagogue apartheid system created the Lenasia Management Committe he used this platform to fight the evil monster of apartheid,” said Moosa.
Salojee, in his usual modest self, received a standing ovation, promised not to deliver a lengthy speech, something that his colleagues fondly remember him for, and wondered if all the accolades showered upon him was accorded to the right person.
 
He historically traced his early years of what influenced him to be involved in politics — living with his uncles in Vereeniging who always spoke about Tolstoy Farm and Gandhi; his self taught father, who arrived in this country at an age of 8 years, who became a community leader; his early days at Mia’s Farm (where corporal punishment was the order of the day); student years at University of  Witwatersrand, subjected to the quote system for entrance to medical studies; the years serving apprenticeship and working at Baragwaneth and Coronation Hospitals (involved in issues of salary inequality) and practicing in Nylstroom (took up the cudgels for the community against proposed forced removal); working at the Lenasia Clinic with late Dr Abdul-Haq Bulbulia; offering services to clinics in Grasmere and Everton, and the influence of the likes of Jheeta Bhoolla, all had subliminal effect on his political and medical career path.
He then cited his involvement within the Lenasia Management Committee with the likes of a Mr Miller who made lucrative site offers to him and late Bhoolla so that “they can divide their philosophy and his.” He in no uncertain terms made it known that all future meetings with Miller should take place in public forums and not behind close doors and chided him for insulting his integrity.
He once again displayed his commitment and dedication by answering skeptics for his reason to initially serve Parliament. During his short tenure as ANC MP in 1994, he requested to be redeployed to Gauteng Legislature where he chaired the Health Portfolio Committee and returned to his roots to serve the masses. He said he found it to be more productive, than to serve as a backbencher parliamentarian, which was at that staged awarded to many comrades who were involved in the struggle.
Salojee made it known that during his tenure at the Legislature (1994 to 2009) he had attended to approximately 1000 patients with various medical problems and “not a single cent was charged for services rendered.”
His life dogma and his involvement with religious, social, educational, political, medical and sporting organisations was based on social responsibility built with respect, honesty and in the words of Steve Biko quoted by him, “keeping in mind fundamental values.”
He concluded that we are not Indians, Coloureds or Africans, but South Africans, and in his usual responsible role was concern that in our “present democracy we are stumbling. It is worrying. And we are losing touch with our principles we fought for.”

source:Lenasia Indicator