Former politician Brandon Pillay earns PhD while overcoming family tragedy

FORMER MP Brandon Pillay has achieved a PhD in public administration despite facing the devastating murders of two brothers during his studies.

- MONISHKA GOVENDER [e-mail]

Dr Brandon Pillay

His journey from local councillor to Parliament, and now community leader, showcases remarkable resilience in transforming personal tragedy into academic triumph.

Last Thursday, Pillay, 44, who graduated from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, said his journey was inspired by his late mother, Radha Dhanalutchmee Pillay.

"Although she had set her sights on me becoming a medical doctor, her dream was always rooted in seeing me succeed and serving others."

Pillay currently runs the Bayview Ubuntu Community Centre on a voluntary basis - fulfilling his passion of community service.

He holds a diploma in community development and political science, Bachelor of Public Administration Honours from Mancosa, Advanced Health Management Programme with Foundation of Professional Development from Yale University, and Master's of Public Administration from UKZN.

"I was not passionate about becoming a medical doctor, but I told myself a long time ago that I would still make my mother proud and achieve a doctorate. When I completed the Master's and performed well, I was motivated to attempt my PhD," he said.

Pillay's PhD focused on coalition governments.

"I chose a current topic - the formation and functioning of coalition governments: an analysis of a hung municipality in South Africa.

"It focused on the hung municipality of eThekwini. The findings reflected that political parties did not waste time talking about a coalition as they all agreed that this was a way forward for a functioning government to be formed, although mistrust and difficulties in selecting the governing partners became a challenge for the erstwhile ruling ANC party.