#knowyourbenoni – Success is in this Benonian’s blood

Terrance Pillay, a Farrarmere resident, moved to Benoni 10 years ago from KwaZulu-Natal.

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He is the donor relations practitioner for the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) in Benoni.

Pillay spoke to the City Times about his family life and his love for his career at the SANBS.

BCT: Tell us about your family?

TP: My wife’s name is Saloshni Pillay, we have two lovely children.

Our son, Kaeden Pillay, is 10 years old and our daughter, Keona Pillay, is five years old.

I don’t have any family in the Gauteng region – they all live in KZN, but my wife has.

We usually visit them on weekends.

BCT: Tell us about your career at the SANBS?

TP: I started working at the Natal Blood Transfusion Services’ head office in Pinetown when I was 18 after I was offered an internship.

I worked in various departments to learn as much as possible, from marketing collections to processing and testing blood units.

I decided my area of operations is in marketing and public relations.

In 2005 the Minister of Health issued a one-practice licence, forcing the provincial blood services to merge into a national organisation known as SANBS

BCT: Why did you move to Benoni?

TC: I felt that it was the right move career-wise.

I felt there were more opportunities here at the SANBS’s head office as opposed to KZN.

In 2008, I left my wife and two-week-old son to find a house here.

Two months later, I brought them here.

We have been living here ever since.

BCT: Where did you study?

TP: I studied at Varsity College in Westville.

I then completed my studies at Varsity College in Sandton when I relocated to Gauteng.

BCT: Why do you like working for the SANBS?

TP: I have grown fond of saving lives and working with the community.

My main focus is driving and meeting patient demand and making sure we have sufficient blood.

BCT: What do you like about Benonians?

TP: They are a very community-oriented town and the community works together to try and resolve issues and it is a very supportive community.

If there was a blood shortage, I could call upon organisations within the community.

I have built very good relationships with people in clubs like Rotary and the Lions and the community out there.

I have put an appeal in the City Times before, asking people to donate blood and people come through and support the initiative.

It is a very giving and close-knit community.

I have always felt very welcome here.

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