Remembering one of Actonville’s pioneers

The 75-year-old was born in Actonville on May 11, 1941.

He attended Benoni Primary School and William Hills High School.

His passion for soccer resulted in him playing for Berea Park FC and later helping to form the Naughty Boys FC.

He served as the vice-president of the Eastern Transvaal Football Association and was later elected as an honorary life vice-president.

Mahomeddi was a community worker and assisted annually in raising funds for the Benoni Muslim Jamaat until his recent illness.

Apart from charity work, he was also the treasurer of the Jamaat.

He was also an active member of the school governing bodies of Pioneer Primary School, William Hills High School and the Actonville Training Centre (a school for pupils with special needs).

In 1984, he entered civic politics and was elected to the statutory Actonville Management Committee, subsequently becoming a full member of the Benoni City Council.

He was then re-elected in Ward 10 (Actonville/Mackenzie Park) in 1995 and played a role in the Greater Benoni City Transitional Council until his retirement in 2000.

With the approval of the Benoni City Council, he also served on the following organisations: Benoni Community Chest, Benoni Publicity Association, East Rand Regional Services Council, East Rand Tourism Association and the Benoni Fire and Emergency Services.

In 2005 he was actively involved with the local schools, religious organisations, sporting bodies and businesses in a campaign to raise awareness regarding cleanliness, drug and alcohol abuse.

He served the community as commissioner of oaths and assisted the elderly with their pension applications.

“He will be remembered as a dedicated, loyal, trustworthy and humble member of the community, as he served any citizen who called on him for assistance,” said Abram Mayet, a close friend of Mahomeddi.

According to Mayet, Mahomeddi would willingly attend to problems of citizens, personally intervening with local and other authorities.

Mayet recalls how Mahomeddi would walk from one end of Actonville to the other meeting citizens whom he served with dedication.

“He was amongst the public representatives who worked tirelessly for the upliftment of society and for the progress and happiness of all citizens of our beloved land, expecting no personal reward,” said Mayet.

His funeral took place at the Rynsoord Cemetery on June 29.

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