(No Name)

The last few days have been agonizing and painful and the past months challenging for both the Pather and Ramkisson families. Our hearts go out to Noma, Indrin and Pranusha.

My name is Sivanersen and I am Daya's first cousin – our late mothers were sisters and our late fathers cousins. As a tribute I will endeavour to give you a profile of my cousin.

Daya was the youngest son of the late Jeeva Pather, a venerated Tamil scholar and accomplished tennis player, and the late Mrs Thalima Pather.

Daya's eldest brother Radha lives in Canada, his sister Rooki in London, Dhansa with us in Morningside and Samba passed away some 3 years ago.

My earliest memories of my cousins is when they lived in Bodasingh Building, corner of Victoria Street and Brook Street, right opposite the Victoria Street Indian Market.

In 1956 the family moved to 29 Tarndale Avenue, Asherville, where they remained for some 25 / 30 years.

Daya attended the N P S Primary School going on to Sastri College.

It was in Asherville that Daya's sporting and athletic powers came to the fore-excelling at soccer, cricket and athletics.

At his prime Daya was invincible in the sprint events_new_new. At Sastri College his 1966 times for the 100 yards, 200 yards and Junior Shotput remained as the benchmark for the institution.

Whilst in primary school Daya played soccer under the green and white colours of Mayfair Football Club in the Asherville Junior League, vanishing all opposition.

Later whilst a learner at Sastri College, Daya played left back for Pirates in Durban Super League, while Dhansa kept goal. Daya played with and against soccerites twice his age.

After matriculating at Sastri, Daya attended the Springfield College of Education where he qualified as an educator.

The hallmark of the Jeeva Pather Family was their academic success. Although my Peripa was a humble factory worker and Perima a housewife, they gave their children the best education. Radha became a medical doctor, Samba a bank administrator and Rooki, Dhansa and Daya all qualified as educators. Of course Daya went on to obtain a BA (Hons) Degree as well as a Bachelor of Education Degree.

Daya married Noma Devi Ramkisson, daughter of prominent Overport businessman, the late Brijlall Ramkisson and the late Mrs Sauder Ramkisson of View Street.

On promotion to a school in Chatsworth Daya and Noma moved to Mobeni Heights where the remained for several years before returning to Overport.

In recent times, Daya followed in his father's footsteps and became a Trustee of the Natal Tamil Vedic Society Trust and in a short while was appointed Honoury Secretary of the Trust. Present today we have senior Trustees, M V Rajah,
V M Bobby Reddy and Desiga Naicker with official Gopee Magendran.

I need to talk about my involvement with Daya and his family over the years.

Every Monday, Daya or Dhansa or Samba would fetch me from our flat in Prince Edward Street and take me home to attend the evening prayer conducted by their late father. This tradition of Monday evening prayer continued even when the family moved over to Asherville.

Everything of significance in my early life involved Daya , his brothers and his parents and I can say with all honesty there was not a match Daya or Dhansa played under clubs colours that I missed.

I started my speech by talking about the agony and pain of the last few days and in this regard, I need to commend and pay tribute to Noma for her devotion, courage, loyalty and patience – her enormous strength of character aided by her children Daya received love and comfort in Abundance.

May Almighty NAMASIVAYA, give his Soul Eternal Rest.