Friends and family have described the late Hindu leader and lawyer Ashwin Trikamjee as a selfless individual with a deep passion for human rights. Trikamjee was laid to rest in Durban on Friday after passing on in a Johannesburg hospital the previous day at the age of 80.
He held various positions at the time of his death, including that of President of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha and Board Director at the 1860 Heritage Centre. He has been described as a distinguished attorney, human rights advocate, and religious leader.
Politicians, members of the legal fraternity, businessmen, and scholars were among the scores of people who attended the funeral.
His colleagues from the legal fraternity said Trikamjee had spent 51 years honouring the oath he took when he was admitted as attorney to be loyal to the Republic of South Africa with intense discipline and unwavering determination. His children say although he was a prominent public figure, he always had time for his family.
"My final thank you and most important one, thank you, Ash. How can I put into words what you mean to me? Theres no way to quantify all that you have done for me just know that Ill spend a lifetime honouring you and your legacy. My greatest compliments are when people tell me that Im like my father and my most cherished messages of the last 24 hours came from people who reminded me how proud you are of me, says Trikamjees daughter, Doctor Thula Trikamjee.