Nirmala (Rusha) Govender (59)
Sunrise: March 13, 1966
Place of birth: Durban
Sunset: January 13, 2026 in Laudium
Husband: Selvan Govender
Children: Yasti and Tarika Govender
“Rusha was a beautiful and warm soul. Her gentleness and love spread to everyone she met, her smile and laughter was contagious. She was the light of our lives. She was a loving and dedicated wife to her husband, Selva, and the most incredible mother to her children, Yasti and Tarika. She leaves behind family and friends who loved and cared deeply for her. There isn’t a soul more gracious and wonderful as her. She will be missed, almost as much as she is loved. Rest in eternal peace, Rusha.”
Paramal (Perry) Velloo (91)
Sunrise: May 27, 1934
Place of birth: Pretoria
Sunset: January 21, 2026
Wife: Pushpy Velloo
Children: Zena, Sharmaine, Pash, Kuban (Kershnee) and Vee.
Grandchildren: Matthew (Paige), Kieran (Courtney), Shaskia, Tashijana, Kyano and Skylah
Great-grandchildren: Tommy, Arabella and Zaiden.
“Paramal (Perry) Velloo ascended peacefully on January 21, 2026, at the age of 91, poignantly held by his beloved wife, children and grandchildren, accompanied by love and prayers. This beloved retired educator was one of three teaching brothers, from a family of ten, with humble beginnings in Marabastad, Pretoria. Mr. Velloo’s family had strong ties with the Tamil Hindu Mariamman Temple in the old Asiatic Bazaar. Part of the Pretoria Tamil League, he propagated the Tamil and Hindu ethos through teaching and sacred prayer. Matriculating in 1953 at the Pretoria Indian Boys High School, he achieved a teaching diploma at the Transvaal Teachers college in 1961 and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1971. He also pursued higher studies at ECOSA, Permal Institute, Education Alive and philosophy at the London School of Economics. Mr. Velloo taught for 36 years at various primary and high schools and the Teachers Training College in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Rustenburg and Benoni, serving as teacher, HOD, vice principal, acting-principal and assistant lecturer. He taught English, History, Geography, Maths and Science among other subjects. He also taught Tamil to adult matric learners. He served as Chairman of TASA’s Pretoria Branch and as Committee Secretary on various boards. He offered voluntary tuition to pupils and students in English, Maths, Adult Basic Education and Development training. He was the editor for the Pretoria Tamil League’s Centennial commemorative issue celebrating the arrival of Indians in South Africa. Former students who range from retirees to young and old professionals, exalted his gentleness and kindness as their favourite teacher. From impacting communities, temples, homes, families and the bereaved, to mediating between quarrelsome couples and warring factions, Mr. Velloo left an indelible legacy of love, gentleness, inspiration, wisdom, kindness and compassion par excellence. He embodied the highest ideals of an educator whose inspired life will reverberate across the ages. We, his family, are indebted to you, our extended family and friends, his former students, the teaching fraternity, and community members, for your incredible and humbling avalanche of love, compassion and support.”
Saroj Pillay (64)
Sunrise: June 22, 1961
Place of birth: Asiatic Bazaar, Marabastad
Sunset: January 8, 2026
Husband: Indrin Pillay
Children: Sadia, Zain, Neideen & Leajeaun
Siblings: Jessy, Sunoo and Noenz
“Saroj Matriculated from Laudium High School, she later obtained a Degree in Human Resource. She worked as an HR Practitioner/ Chief Clerk in the SANDF for Thirty Years, until her recent retirement. It is with profound sadness, we announce the passing of Saroj Pillay (Reddy), who left us at the age of 64 in Laudium. A celebration of her life was held on Sunday January 11, 2026 at the Laudium Temple Hall. She was a vibrant soul, bubbly and friendly. With her kind personality, she brought light to everyone she met. She was a loving wife, mother and a dearly cherished sister who leaves behind her children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews and her devoted childhood friends. Her memory will live on in our hearts forever. We Miss You Saroj.”