Bongu Appal Naidoo: a leader in education, cultural promotion and community service

HAVING made invaluable contributions to South Africa's educational and cultural tapestry over several decades, Bongu Appal Naidoo stands as a beacon of inspiration. 

Naidoo, 97, of Musgrave, is among 46 people who have been honoured in the Unsung Heroes Publication Board's newly-launched volume three of its book series, The Unsung Heroes.

Early life

Naidoo, the second eldest of five children, was born in Fenniscowles Road, Umbilo, on May 16, 1928. 

He said their neighbouring community, Stella Hill,  was largely populated by members of the Telugu community, who hailed from Andhra Pradesh in India. 

His parents, Bongu Koormiah and Egireddi Papama, who hailed from Andhra Pradesh, travelled aboard the Umfuli XIV and arrived in Congella, in Durban, in July 1910.

Naidoo said at the time of their arrival, his father was 9 years old, and his mother was 1. 

“Both of my parents’ families were initially assigned to the Kearsney Sugar Estates near Stanger but they later chose to settle as free passengers in Tinley Manor.”

Naidoo, his parents and siblings, then moved from Fenniscowles Road to Stanger in 1933. He said he held fond memories in Stanger before his family moved again to Jacobs, south of Durban, in the 1950s. 

“I remember my friends and I walked about five miles (about 8km) to the beach in summer. On the way back, we often plucked sugar cane to munch on as it was in abundance in the area. We also went fishing in the nearby streams and rivers, and hunted birds with homemade slingshots. 

“After a storm, we used to search for mushrooms, which I took back home for my mother to turn into a delicious curry. I also used to attend Telugu school in the afternoons. I became quite proficient in the language and represented the community in the Andhra Maha Sabha Eisteddfod on several occasions. I also represented the Stella Hill community in the Eisteddfod and won a prize for public speaking in 1944,” he said. 

Education 

Naidoo said he attended Class one (Grade one) to Standard 8 (Grade 10) at Stanger School from 1933 to 1943. He thereafter completed matric at Sastri College in 1945. Naidoo then spent a further six months attending the Teacher Training College. 

He said he was encouraged to pursue medicine and became one of two Natal Indians admitted to the University of Witwatersrand Medical School in 1947. However, while waiting for his admission to the university, he taught at two schools. 

“This experience instilled in me a passion for teaching and I decided to remain as a teacher.”

Career

Naidoo said he began teaching mathematics part-time at Congress High School in 1948. He later studied towards a Bachelor of Arts degree through the University of South Africa (Unisa) and graduated in 1968. 

Naidoo thereafter obtained a National Teaching Diploma and taught mathematics, biology, and Latin at various schools, including Stanger High School and Sastri College. 

From 1963 to 1974, he served in various positions, including vice principal, deputy principal, and principal at various primary and high schools in Durban. 

Naidoo said in 1975, the PR Pather High School was established in Merebank, and he was appointed as its first principal. He served at the school until 1984. 

He thereafter served as principal at Stelitizia Secondary School from 1985 until his retirement in July 1988. 

“While I was a disciplinarian, I was also a friend to the children. I remember playing various sports with the children during the breaks.” 

During this time, Naidoo also served as the acting circuit inspector of schools and was appointed by the Department of Education’s Cultural Division as a senior language promoter for Telugu from 1990 to 1993. 

Sportsman

Naidoo said from a young age he was an avid sports enthusiast. 

“I enjoyed playing soccer, cricket and tennis. I played soccer as a primary and high school pupil, and later even as a teacher.

“While I was still in school, when we used to have matches in Durban, I often used to walk the four miles back home to Fenniscowles Road because I could only get a discounted bus ticket up until  4pm. I tried to save a few cents and walk instead. Money was tight and every cent counted." 

Family

Naidoo married Savathri on January 21, 1956. They have four children and seven grandchildren. The family moved to Mobeni Heights in Chatsworth in the 1960s. They later moved to Westville. 

Community Service

Naidoo said he was among members of the community in Chatsworth, who banded together to form cultural groups and charitable organisations after seeing the need in the community. 

“While I was in Stanger, I was a member of two volunteer organisations, Friends of the Sick and the Child Welfare Society. When we moved to Chatsworth, I was part of a committee that named Unit 4 as Mobeni Heights. The Mobeni Heights Civic Association, of which I am a life trustee member, also sought to raise funds to build a civic centre in the area. When a loan had to be secured, 10 members, including myself and my brother, had to be guarantors. We had put up our homes as collateral.”

Naidoo has also served in religious organisations, including the Andhra Maha Sabha of South Africa (AMSSA). He served as the president between 1989 and 1993, and again from 1996 to 2000. 

He said as the president he initiated the building of the Havenside Cultural Centre in Chatsworth. 

“Together with several other members, we secured donations for the project. However, when we had to take a loan, we used the organisation's freehold property as collateral. I was one of the guarantors of this loan.” 

During  this time, Naidoo’s contributions to promoting the Telugu language and Andhra culture earned him international recognition.

In December 1990, he was honoured at the Third World Telugu Conference in Mauritius for his distinguished service, where he presented a paper titled, “The Historical Evolution of the Pravash Andhras in South Africa”. 

In December 1996, he received a meritorious award at the Second Conference of the World Telugu Federation in Hyderabad, India, for his efforts in preserving and promoting Andhra culture in South Africa. 

Naidoo also represented the AMSSA at the council meetings of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha (SAHMS). He later served as the deputy president during two separate terms and as a senior member of the executive council. During this time, he played a significant role in organising the annual Diwali Festival. 

Traveller

Naidoo said he and Savathri enjoyed travelling and have visited India, the US, London, Australia, Paris, and Rome, among other destinations. 

“We always found it fascinating to be able to experience a new culture first hand. As soon as we were able to afford it, we decided that we would explore different places around the world, which we did. 

“However, among our favourite places to visit has been India. We visited Andhra Pradesh, which was special and important, as we were able to see the place where our families originated from. On one of the occasions, I managed to arrange a meeting with the then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. 

"She granted us half-an-hour during which we engaged in dialogue about Indians living in South Africa. After I retired, we continued to travel. We were able to visit family living in Australia, Canada and Bahrain. We were also invited to an Australian Open tennis match in 1995, which was a thrilling experience,” he said. 

Philosophy

Naidoo said he believed that life was a gift. 

“Though there are no assurances or guarantees, life is a gift that can provide unlimited opportunities to pursue what can ensure a comfortable lifestyle. It therefore becomes incumbent on us to choose a goal and remain focused on a chosen path towards attaining it. 

“When I look back, I feel proud and satisfied as I always strived to do my best. However, I believe it was due to leading a balanced lifestyle, between my career and family obligations. I have also not been alone on this journey. It is the strength of my wife, children, grandchildren, extended family members and friends that have brought me to where I am today,” he said. 

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