Rest easy Mom.
These soft and loving words from our son Deyakhar
Padayachee will forever be etched in our minds, posted on his WhatsApp display
minutes after he received the news that his mother has passed away to the Great
Blue Skies near midnight on Wednesday, 20 November 2025 at the Parklands
Hospital.
Pinky valued and treasured and cherished her family and
friends.
Tributes, tears flowed for her passing. Her death was
greeted by absolute shock and disbelief.
Indian entrepreneurial giant Ratan Tata said life has
its ups and downs
The
passing of Venilla Pinky Padayachee, my sociable teacher and devoted wife has
left a profound void in the hearts of her family, friends, and community.
Pinky, as she was affectionately known, succumbed to a courageous year-long
battle with cancer late Wednesday night at Netcare Parklands Hospital. She was
65 years old.
I
agonized calmly at her bedside.
Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend passed away
peacefully, her resilience shining through until the very end. She was a
dedicated educator and private tutor, especially cherished by influential
business families in Durban’s close-knit Muslim community. Her passing marks an
irreplaceable loss to the community she served with such care and commitment.”
Pinky
faced her illness with remarkable courage, even telling her oncologist, Dr.
Riaz Mall: “Doctor, I have made peace with cancer; it is time to say goodbye.”
A Life of Dedication and Grace
A
qualified teacher from Springfield College of Education (Class of 1980), Pinky
devoted her life to nurturing young minds. In her later years, she became a
sought-after tutor, leaving an indelible mark on her students and their
families.
Although
Pinky was a quiet presence in the media world, her unwavering support for her
husband’s career bridged the spheres of journalism and education. She remained
an integral part of the Durban social scene until her illness prevented her
from attending recent events, including the SANEF Nat Nakasa Awards, but
enjoyed the and the Fedhasa post-Covid 19 gathering.
Veteran
journalist and SANEF regional head Judy Sanderson conveyed her condolences on
behalf of the media fraternity: “We extend our deepest sympathies to Marlan,
their sons, and the entire family. Pinky’s warmth and strength touched so many
lives, and her absence will be deeply felt.”
Tributes from Far and Wide
The
outpouring of love and respect for Pinky has come from across South Africa and
beyond. Among those paying tribute were:
·
Dr Iqbal Survé, chairman of Independent News: “May her soul rest in peace.”
·
Viasen Soobramoney, CEO of IOL: “Wishing the family strength during this difficult
time.”
·
Dr GK Nair, former rector of Springfield College, wrote: “God willing, I will
use my walking stick to attend the funeral.”
Messages
of support also came from Siboniso Duma, MPL and MEC for Transport, as well as
philanthropist Ishwar Ramlutchman, who praised Pinky’s “radiance, charm, and
dignity.”
From
abroad, GOPIO International leaders, including Dr. Thomas Abraham (New York),
Sunny Kulathakall (India), and George Varghese (Bahrain), expressed
condolences. Former UKZN academic Dr Dasarath Chetty, speaking from an
international conference in Vietnam, highlighted Pinky’s contributions to
education and Durban’s diverse cultural fabric.
Faye
Freedman, owner of Durban’s oldest taxi services, Eagle Cabs and Shashi’s
Taxis, shared a heartfelt tribute: “She’s a special angel looking down on you
and us.” Freedman and her late friend were regular attendees at the Durban
International Film Fair and the Tourism Indaba.
From
Johannesburg, Goona Padayatchie, the first Indian-origin professional
footballer from the non-racial Federation Professional League, and a player for
Bluebells United, Swaraj, and Soweto soccer giants Moroka Swallows, reminisced
about decades of warm relationships with the Durban-based family. He recalled
how he and his brother Kola Padayatchie were invited to pre-match lunches
hosted by her mother, Janaki Naidoo, and brother-in-law Chris Naidoo of Parts
Centre, at their home in Asherville. His Bluebells teammate, Rattin Padayachee,
also shared fond memories of those cherished times.
Former
ANC KZN Premier and MEC, Ambassador Nomusa Dube-Ncube, expressed her
condolences, saying: “I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your beautiful
wife, my brother. May you find comfort in the many good memories you shared
with her and the family.”
Cyril
Deva, a former Verulam Suburbs FC striker in the Federation Professional
League, expressed his belief that she would have overcome the challenges of her
illness, reflecting on her strength and determination.
Cancer
survivor and graphic designer Rekha Ramjogi, of Gatekeeper Graphic Design
Consultancy, was deeply moved, saying she was lost for words. She had believed
that her friend was making progress in her spirited fight against the disease.
At the tail-end of Cats Stevens concert at the Durban
ICC, we moved to nearest to the stage, and I belted out, sing Lady Durbanville,
and Yusuf Islam - his Arabic name - promptly resounded: “My wife would not
allow me to sing that song!
Pinky, seated next to our matriarch, enjoyed Lata
Mangeshkar in Mbabane, Swaziland, Indian artists boycotted our apartheid
homeland.
In the rain clutching our first born son, she jived to
Peter Tosh at the same stadium, thrilled with the reggae superstar's guitar
shaped symbolically as an AK-47 the iconic gun that win us our freedom
Many more shows, concerts, dances, plays and speeches,
Pinky was always at the ringside seat of an evolving new society, sitting
behind president Nelson Mandela at the Playhouse and watching the Surialanga
dancers strut their stuff colourfully with a new fusion of Barat natyan and
traditional Zulu dancing choreography.
From concert to conferences, Pinky was upfront and close
and was indeed the femme fatale of our family owned media and communications
agency
The Durban July always fell closest or on her birthday
and she would wager rands on any racehorse wearing the Number 7 livery.
In the twilight of her beautifully choreographed and
scripted life she finally threw in the towel, her sword of her fiery fighting
spirit glimmering in the darkest few hours at the Parklands Hospital on
Wednesday, telling her oncologist Dr Riaz Mall: "Doctor, I have made peace
with cancer. It is time for me to go."
From his countenance, I knew the oncologist was telling
me that the danger of death was looking, as Pinky grasped for life through a
gas mask
In the words of colleague and fellow political
correspondent, now Dr Martin Challenor, and in his disclaimer to my articles on
his WriteAway online digital magazine the Padayachee's are a family of
graduates, reiterated by our neighbour Vernon Govender
A media lrotege Vivaga Thambiran called me to paint a
glowing picture of Pinky's dress sense, demeanour, dignity and decorum at
social events, and we need to salute her as a teacher and academic.
Pinky was a born educator from the minute I set eyes on
her. She was preparing for her matric exams when I proposed to a teenage bride.
Colleague Cheryl Carter penned that Pinky was a ravishing bride-to-be at our
engagement at the edenroc Hotel, a place that barred non-whites. Guest speaker,
Post editor Garry Brennan predicted Pinky will produce a few cub reporters -
and yes she did - three wordsmiths that she generously invested in.
MN Pather, recognised by the United Nations Special
Committee Against Apartheid, spoke at our wedding at the Orient Hall on 23
December 1979 – an anniversary she has just missed.
In the 1980s, she produced two sons at the St Aidan's
Hospital and grew them up the schooling way while making her classroom debut at
Junagarth Road School, and later Parsee Rustomjee.
When it came to education her boys no expenses were
spared. She proudly enrolled them at the Highbury School.
She brought our third son into the postapartheid
South Africa at the Westville Hospital, where she spent two agonising weeks
battling her failing health this month. Committed to giving our third son her
own special expertise of early learning she left her post at Pemary Ridge to
groom Deyakhar into a fine graduate, who in the past years of the curse of
cancer rose as her right-hand, ferrying his mother to private tutoring lessons
on house calls.
Out of this epic 40 years of teaching, Pinky lavished
her state pension on her dream apartment at Gleneryhoff.
At the Durban ICC where enjoyed a seat at the top table,
she danced with Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi at our friend Vivian Reddy's 60th
birthday bash, and sat right behind President Mandela for the premiere of
Professor Suria Govender's indian-Zulu dance fusions at the Playhouse Theatre.
Always the life of the party, as a loyalist she did not
miss any family parties, gatherings or funerals.
At the tail-end of Cats Stevens concert at the Durban
ICC, we moved to nearest to the stage, and I belted out, sing Lady Durbanville,
and Yusuf Islam - his Arabic name - promptly resounded: “My wife would not
allow me to sing that song!
Pinky, seated next to our matriarch, enjoyed Lata
Mangeshkar in Mbabane, Swaziland, Indian artists boycotted our apartheid
homeland.
In the rain clutching our first born son, she jived to
Peter Tosh at the same stadium, thrilled with the reggae superstar's guitar
shaped symbolically as an AK-47 the iconic gun that win us our freedom
Many more shows, concerts, dances, plays and speeches,
Pinky was always at the ringside seat of an evolving new society, sitting
behind president Nelson Mandela at the Playhouse and watching the Surialanga
dancers strut their stuff colourfully with a new fusion of Barat natyan and
traditional Zulu dancing choreography.
From concert to conferences, Pinky was upfront and close
and was indeed the femme fatale of our family owned media and communications
agency
The Durban July always fell closest or on her birthday
and she would wager rands on any racehorse wearing the Number 7 livery.
In the twilight of her beautifully choreographed and
scripted life she finally threw in the towel, her sword of her fiery fighting
spirit glimmering in the darkest few hours at the Parklands Hospital on
Wednesday, telling her oncologist Dr Riaz Mall: "Doctor, I have made peace
with cancer. It is time for me to go."
From his countenance, I knew the oncologist was telling
me that the danger of death was looking, as Pinky grasped for life through a
gas mask
In the words of colleague and fellow political
correspondent, now Dr Martin Challenor, and in his disclaimer to my articles on
his WriteAway online digital magazine the Padayachee's are a family of
graduates, reiterated by our neighbour Vernon Govender
Pinky was a born educator from the minute I set eyes on
her. She was preparing for her matric exams when I proposed to a teenage bride.
Colleague Cheryl Carter penned that Pinky was a ravishing bride-to-be at our
engagement at the edenroc Hotel, a place that barred non-whites. Guest speaker,
Post editor Garry Brennan predicted Pinky will produce a few cub reporters - and
yes she did - three wordsmiths that she generously invested in. In the 1980s,
she produced two sons at the St Aidan's Hospital and grew them up the schooling
way while making her classroom debut at Junagarth Road School, and later Parsee
Rustomjee.
When it came to education her boys no expenses were
spared. She proudly enrolled them at the Highbury School.
She brought our third son into the postapartheid
South Africa at the Westville Hospital, where she spent two agonising weeks
battling her failing health this month. Committed to giving our third son her
own special expertise of early learning she left her post at Pemary Ridge to
groom Deyakhar into a fine graduate, who in the past years of the curse of
cancer rose as her right-hand, ferrying his mother to private tutoring lessons
on house calls.
Out of this epic 40 years of teaching, Pinky lavished
her state pension on her dream apartment at Gleneryhoff.
Always the life of the party, as a loyalist she did not
miss any family parties, gatherings or funerals.
A Loving Family and Enduring Legacy
She
was deeply rooted in family. As a family, and my three sons – Michalen
(Johannesburg), Karlen (USA), and Deyakhar – and three grandchildren, we will
miss her sorely.
She
also leaves behind six sisters, brothers-in-laws, nephews and nieces, and their families.
As
her hometown Asherville Sports Memoirs group fondly remarked: “Her memory will
live on as a beacon of love and strength.”
Today,
as friends and loved ones gather to celebrate her life, they honour a remarkable
woman whose grace, resilience, and compassion touched all who knew her. Rest in
peace, Venilla Pinky Padayachee – a life well-lived, a legacy cherished
forever.
Tributes, tears flowed for the passing my dear wife
In the 1980s, she produced two sons at the St Aidan's
Hospital and grew them up the schooling way while making her classroom debut at
Junagarth Road School, and later Parsee Rustomjee.
When it came to education her boys no expenses were
spared. She proudly enrolled them at the Highbury School.
She brought our third son into the post
apartheid South Africa at the Westville Hospital, where she spent two
agonizing weeks battling her failing health this month. Committed to giving our
third son her own special expertise of early learning she left her post at
Pemary Ridge to groom Deyakhar into a fine graduate, who in the past years of
the curse of cancer rose as her right-hand, ferrying his mother to private
tutoring lessons on house calls.
Out of this epic 40 years of teaching, Pinky lavished
her state pension on her dream apartment at Gleneryhoff.
At the Durban ICC where enjoyed a seat at the top table,
she danced with Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi at our friend Vivian Reddy's 60th
birthday bash, and sat right behind President Mandela for the premiere of
Professor Suria Govender's Indian-Zulu dance fusions at the Playhouse Theatre.
Always the life of the party, as a loyalist she did not
miss any family parties, gatherings or funerals.
Rest easy, Mom!
* MARLAN PADAYACHEE - official eulogy at the funeral of Venilla Padayachee at the Clare Estate Hindu Crematorium, Reservoir Hills, Durban, South Africa, on Sunday, 24 November 2024 - 1-3pm.
Durban Dateline.
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