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PERSONALITY PROFILE
YUSUF SEEDAT
Yusuf Seedat, known affectionately by friends and colleagues as ‘Tara’, has made a place in the hearts of thousands of people on the African continent, in his active role as PA to the internationally renowned charitable organization, the South African National Zakah Foundation (SANZAF).
Born to a poor family in 1941 in Ophirton – Johannesburg, Seedat was nevertheless blessed with parents who inspired him to become the person he is today.
He said “My mother worked very hard to earn the money that was needed immediately for household expenses. She saved for long time before she could buy a lollipop machine, which then enabled her to make and sell lollipops, which helped a little financially.”
“I remember how we used to walk from Ophirton to Ferreiras School, which was 5km away and return home again from there. Our few clothes had to last us for a long time, and during Eid, we used to get clothes from our neighbours. I still remember how we used to put cardboard pieces in our shoes when they used to break.”
However, poverty did not reflect negatively on his character, but rather strengthened his outlook on life.
Seedat abandoned his education indefinitely when the government closed the Central Congress High School and were forcing Indian pupils to use Lenasia schools.
When he was 17 years old, he found employment with an Indian family, but did not remain for long as they were verbally abusive to him, moving on to a clothing factory in 1959 for a few years.
In 1969, Seedat acquired a ladies/children clothing business, which became successful. He remembers the Fridays, when police used to harass black people because of their passes near his shop.
“I helped black people with food or money, when they were fined by the police for not having their passes with them. The fines used to take away their whole income, which left them with no money to buy food for their families.”
At the time of forced removals of non-Whites from their properties, Seedat was living in Fietas and due to the pressures exerted from government, he then moved to a farm in Rietfontein.
It was difficult commuting between the farm and his business – the family had to leave the farm at 5 each morning, ensure that their 13, 11 and 9-year-old children were safely ensconced in their schools, and then with their 1 year old child open up shop.
At 5pm each evening, Seedat would close shop, pick up children and go home.
He says “It was a constant struggle each day because of the hectic schedule but we survived and learnt a lot from this hardship.”
In 1976, after the student uprising when the riots began, Seedat was forced to sell his business.
He says “My life was a school of knocks, each experience teaching me something significant about myself. Islam became a central part of my life when in 1975, I met a very pious man from India, Mufti Mehmood Sahib Rehmatulla Alay and my entire life changed. Through the grace of Allah, my association with this pious person was a blessing that guided me through till today, and he would forever be a role model to me.”
Seedat has been involved in charitable work for the past 25 years, during which time he was with the Africa Muslim Agency (AMA) from 1992-1996, and then with SANZAF from 1996 till date.
His most profound project with AMA was the aid given to Somalia, during a time when hundreds of Somalians were dying due to lack of food, clean water and medical aid. The Foreign Affairs department agreed to allow AMA to export the food to Somalia, and thousands of tons of food was given to the Somalians.
The project with SANZAF which holds a special place in his heart had been when Qurbani was carried out in Malawi.
He said “We used 4X4s’ because it was raining excessively and it was difficult driving otherwise. We needed to complete the Qurbani in three days and we finished it in the rain – our faith in Allah kept us strong throughout, and we returned home healthy.”
Seedat is well-known and respected in the community because he does not only work for SANZAF, but has become a strong representative of the organization and always gets involved in the groundwork of each project – from collecting funds to distribution.
He is also known for his willingness to join community initiatives, to strengthen the position of his communities, in the following roles:
- Chairperson of the Brixton Community Policing Forum (1994-97)
- Founding member of the South African Haj and Umrah Council (1995-99)
- Member of the Correctional Services Board (1996-97)
- Member of the Islamic Business Chamber (1994-97)
- Member of the Gauteng Refugee Forum (1997)
- Chairman of the Fordsburg/Mayfair Business Forum (2000 till date)
- Region and Ward Committee Member (2002)
- Founder and owner of the Car Guard Project (2002 till date).
When asked how he managed to handle so many responsibilities at one time, Seedat answered “through the Grace of the Almighty Allah”.
“My objective is to serve Allah in totality and follow the humble life pattern of Muhammed (SAW) in religious matters, as well as to serve those in need among humankind within the capacity granted to me.”
As an individual interested in sports from a young age and as an active member of different organizations, Seedat was a part of many initiatives such as:
- Promoting WBA Bantam Weight Title Fight Boxing Match on behalf of Jumbo Cash and Carry, the first non-White company to execute such a promotion in the apartheid era
- Arranged the financing of R10 000.00 for the upliftment of the under-privileged
- Instrumental in delivering the Green Paper to the Government
- Head of the Somalia Relief Fund
- Co-ordinator of the relief aid to North East Kenya and Rwanda
- Co-ordinator of the recruitment and the mobilization of doctors for war-torn Somalia
- Mozambique Flood Disaster 2000/Cyclone 1994
- Northern Province Flood Disaster 2000
- Convenor of Ladysmith Flood Relief
- Hosted Inter-Cultural Family Fun Day in Fordsburg 2003
- Co-ordinator, administrator and active participant of many more projects under the auspices of the SANZAF organization – national tree plantings, building of the Vlakfontein School, creating boreholes, musjids, financing of students and businesses, food distributions, etc.
Seedat has also hosted many international personalities such as boxer Muhammad Ali, Egyptian Ambassador Mona Omar, Yusuf Islam (ex-pop singer Cat Stevens), Dr. Al-Rabah of Kuwait, Dr. Abdul Wahab Noorwali of Saudi Arabia.
Seedat’s past favourite hangouts was Solly’s Corner, Kentucky Café, Lyric Cinema and Majestic.
He says “There was strength amongst communities and everybody used to come to Fordsburg’s Central Road, which was at that time, family hangouts.”
“I feel that there is no unity amongst the businessmen in Fordsburg, and ideas about improving the Fordsburg Square get shelved because of a few objections. 2010 World Cup is a huge opportunity for us, and if the businessmen continue in this way, they will regret not approving and promoting ideas that work in other countries.”
He says on a final note “My position in SANZAF has ensured that I continue to fulfil my desired role in the African community, and I am proud to be a part of such a prestigious organization – which has offices in all nine provinces - with a strong team to ensure success at every turn. We hope to continue serving those who need us, through the blessings of Allah.”
Profile by Fathima Jhani
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