Asoka class of 1985, 40th Reunion - Speech by Vernon Nair

Good evening, esteemed alumni, honored guests, and cherished friends, It's with great pleasure and a sense of nostalgia that I stand before you today. As I look around this room, I see faces that bring back memories of our days at Asoka Secondary School. But more than that, I see a group of individuals who have come together to make a profound difference in our community.

Cast your minds back to 2008. We were, at the Breakers Hotel, celebrating our Class of '85 reunion. Amidst the laughter and reminiscing, a seed of an idea was planted. What if we could channel our success, our resources, and our passion into uplifting the very community that nurtured us? This idea, my friends, was the genesis of the Mayibuye Development Foundation, or MDef 'Mayibuye' - 'let it return' - perfectly encapsulates our mission. We sought to create a Robin Hood-style upliftment program, taking from the fortunate to give to the less fortunate. But it wasn't just about giving handouts. No, our vision was far more profound. In 2009, we officially launched MDef at the Beechwood Country Club. The Mayibuye Development Foundation is a community development organization which seeks to create and facilitate sustainable programs with the aim of appreciably alleviating poverty and unemployment. The ethos of our organization is to assist every individual in identifying their true capacity. With this innovative concept, we hope to assist as many people as possible to grow into self-sufficient, self-sustainable entities. We firmly believe that the promotion of self-completeness will lead to self-happiness. Our founding members - Kantha, Vanida, Sandra, Raj, Vikash Oodit, Noel, Neville, Anil and myself - were filled with determination and hope.

The Seed Programme - Our First Initiative

Our first major initiative took us to Welbedacht, a community grappling with unemployment and limited access to fresh produce. On World Poverty Day, we launched a home gardening project at the Sarva Dharma Ashram. This wasn't just about planting seeds in the ground; it was about planting seeds of hope and self-reliance.

We partnered with government agricultural experts, providing gardening kits, seedlings, and crucial training to community members. The impact was immediate and lasting. Families who once relied on food aid were now growing their own vegetables. Unused land was transformed into productive gardens. We witnessed firsthand how a simple idea, executed with care and commitment, could plant the seeds of long-term food security and self-reliance.

Our work has touched lives in moments of crisis too. When a devastating fire swept through the Effingham informal settlement, leaving many families without homes or possessions, MDef sprang into action. We quickly arranged for the distribution of essential items - towels, blankets, and mattresses - to those affected. It wasn't just about providing material aid; it was about showing our community that they weren't alone in their time of need.

The First Lego League

But we didn't stop there. Our very own Raj Dhaniraj, who was a director at SAP at the time, secured sponsorship for the FIRST LEGO League program. This globally recognized robotics program started at New Forest High School and soon expanded to our alma mater, Asoka Secondary. With MDeF support, over 100 children across KZN benefited from this initiative.

I want to share a story that still moves me to this day. One of the students who participated in this program had never been on an airplane before. When we flew the team to Johannesburg for the nationals, it was her first time experiencing flight. But more than that, it was her first time truly spreading her wings. After presenting in Johannesburg, she returned home with newfound confidence. She wrote us a latter of her becaming a public speaker at her school assemblies, finding her voice and her place in the world. This, my friends, is the transformative power of education and opportunity.

Congratulations to Mrs. Sandra Roopram for her dual achievements. As an educator at Forest Hill School, she has led her students to win trophies at the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Tournament every year of their participation. This success runs parallel to her valuable contributions to the MDeF program, demonstrating her dedication to excellence in both her teaching career and professional development.

Fire, Education Programmes , Sport and Community

Our work has touched lives in moments of crisis too. When a devastating fire swept through the Effingham informal settlement, leaving many families without homes or possessions, MDef sprang into action. We quickly arranged for the distribution of essential items - towels, blankets, and mattresses - to those affected. It wasn't just about providing material aid; it was about showing our community that they weren't alone in their time of need.

One of our most impactful initiatives has been our education program at Asoka Secondary. We encountered talented students whose dreams of higher education were being crushed by financial hardship. Our team worked tirelessly with guidance counselors to identify deserving students and guide them through bursary applications and tertiary registrations. Today, one of these students is a qualified pharmacist. Just think about that for a moment - a young person who might never have had the chance to pursue higher education is now saving lives and contributing to our healthcare system. This is the ripple effect of our work.

We've also recognized the importance of fostering understanding and dialogue in our diverse community. At the Riverside Hotel's Christmas function, we brought together our distinguished patrons, the late Moulana Rashid Khan and the late Reverend Danny Chetty. Moulana Khan spoke beautifully about Jesus's birth, while Reverend Chetty addressed the Palestine situation. This powerful gathering demonstrated how different faiths can come together in meaningful dialogue and understanding.

Lastly, our sports day initiative in Umgababa, in partnership with Ezemvelo KZN, brought the community together through physical activities. It was more than just a day of sports; it was a celebration of community spirit, fostering lasting connections.

Cheshire homes and Elderly Community

Our work has extended to some of the most vulnerable members of our community. At Cheshire Homes in Sydenham, we encountered children with physical challenges who yearned for joy and inclusion. Vanida's Zumba group stepped up, creating a special day of celebration. We provided meals, distributed toys, and danced with children in strollers and wheelchairs. The smiles and laughter that filled the air that day showed us that disabilities need not be barriers to happiness and participation.

We've also reached out to our elderly community. At TAFTA, we not only organized a special care day but also secured sponsorship for an upright piano. Today, that piano continues to fill the halls with music, bringing daily pleasure and creating moments of connection among residents.

As I stand here today, I'm filled with pride at what we've accomplished. But more than that, I'm filled with gratitude. Gratitude for the education and values instilled in us at Asoka Secondary. Gratitude for the opportunity to give back. And gratitude for each one of you who has supported and contributed to MDef's mission. The Mayibuye Development Foundation is more than just an organization. It's a testament to what we can achieve when we come together with a shared purpose. It's a bridge between our past and our future, between those who have and those who need. As we move forward, I invite each one of you to continue this journey with us. Whether through your time, your resources, or your skills, there's a place for you in this mission. Together, we can continue to nourish our roots and create a brighter future for our community. Thank you for your time, your support, and most importantly, for believing in the power of 'Mayibuye' - let it return. Let us continue to give back, to uplift, and to transform lives. Thank you. ( Pictures courtesy of unsplash.com)