Inspiring journey of Poobalan ‘Les’ Govender: a life dedicated to community and public service

HAVING served the community of Chatsworth from a young age, and now serving the country as the deputy chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Poobalan "Les" Govender's remarkable life story emerges as a testament to resilience and unwavering dedication.

- NADIA KHAN

GOVENDER received a token of appreciation from officials of the Sri Kabaleesvarar Alayam in Chatsworth.

Govender, who will turn 71 on November 21, shared his story which started from humble beginnings growing up in Cato Manor and Chatsworth.

Govender said his maternal grandfather, Sadayappen Govender, who hailed from Salem in Tamil Nadu, South India, came to South Africa as an indentured labourer at the age of 15.

"My grandfather worked on a sugar estate north of Durban, where he saved money and later bought a small farm in Northdene. He was quite a religious man, so he built the first temple and a community hall. I was told he travelled four times by ship to India and brought back religious artefacts.

"All activities were centred around the temple and hall. People arrived from other areas such as Shallcross, Malvern and Roosfontein for the big prayers, weddings and birthday parties, among other events," he said.

He said his mother, Mariamma Govender, who was a housewife and later had a small business doing bridal hair and floral arrangements, married his father, Marimuthu Govender, a cutter for a printing company, and moved to Stella Hill in Cato Manor.

He said this was where he and his elder sister, Sandra Nadasen, were born.

"We lived on a small farm with my paternal grandparents, three uncles and their families. We had a wonderful childhood as we could run around and play freely. I played soccer with my cousins. We made a ball using newspaper and wrapped it in plastic. There was a river in which we swam and caught fish, which we released. We also used to climb the trees and pick mangoes."

He attended Class 1 (Grade 1) at Stella Hill State-Aided School from the age of 6.