Newcastle bids farewell to municipal trailblazer
The community has bid a fond farewell to Abdul Rahman Hoosein, a trailblazer and respected member of the Newcastle community, who served as the first non-white municipal manager in the Newcastle municipality.
Hoosen, who recently passed away, began his career in 1975 at the Newcastle municipality as a health inspector.
Later on in the years, he was appointed Director of Community Services and later Deputy Municipal Manager of Transformation in 2003 before becoming Municipal Manager when the then municipal manager Dawie Schutte retired.
Hossen was described as the ‘ultimate professional who dedicated himself and worked tirelessly to usher in the post-democratic era at the municipality while also ensuring the municipality provided service delivery to the community.’
Vish Govender, municipal manager from 2021 to 2022, described him as a phenomenal man and an exemplary leader.
Govender said he has fond memories of Hossen, beginning when Hossen interviewed him for a job at the municipality 23 years ago. “He (Hossen) mentored me into the man I am today, encouraging me to further my studies and pursue my master’s. I am what I am because I stand on the shoulders of giants such as him,” he said.
Govender added that Hossen’s work has stood the test of time, and his record at the municipality remains unblemished.
“He was a man of etiquette, great stature, calmness, and an ability to bring service delivery, especially in those times of transition in our democracy,” he said.
“His legacy lives on in us,” concluded Govender.
Kebone Masange, also a former municipal manager and colleague, expressed sentiments and was in complete shock upon learning of Hoosen’s passing.
Masange, who began working with Hossein in 1997, recalled his time with Hossen as his boss with great fondness.
“He was an astute negotiator, always listening to us and finding an amicable way forward during times where we would differ in some development approaches,’ said Masange.
“He was a very hard-working man and very passionate about his work, and he contributed a lot to the amalgamation and transformation of the municipality.”
Phil Hair of the Newcastle Ratepayers Association shared memories of Hoosein as a member of the KwaZulu Natal Municipal Pension/Provident Funds Board.
“He did a lot for our pensioners locally,” commented Hair.
“We will miss his dedication, and his commitment to and achievements on behalf of our pensioners were always appreciated.”
Former Speaker of Newcastle council Matthew Shumungam expressed deep loss for the man whom he has had the pleasure of working with since 1996. “Hoosen was a diligent worker who had the interest of the town at heart. He epitomized the qualities of clean administration and good governance, these qualities, which I cherished and practiced throughout of tenure of as a councillor for 26 years in the various positions I occupied,” stated Shumnungam.
“We were fortunate to have individuals such the calibre of the late Mr. Hoosen who imparted such admirable qualities and developing a passion to serve the community with such zeal and selflessly promising the needs of the community over ourselves in a bid to build a better Newcastle for all. Undoubtedly, he was one of the best administrators to the Newcastle Municipality,”he added
The Newcastle Advertiser extends our heartfelt condolences to Abdul Rahman Hoosen’s friends, family, and colleagues.
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