Years before being brutally gunned down in his Rockville, Soweto surgery, he singlehandedly, ‘blue-printed’ the building of bridges linking Black Soweto and Indian Lenasia.

In just recognition of his resolution in this regard, the country’s democratic government, wittingly or otherwise, conceded years later to name the thoroughfare linking the two communities the Abu Asvat drive, on heroes’ day in March 2013.

The Abu Asvat Institute for Nation Building had, since it’s notable formation some years ago, determinedly (and vociferously) campaigned for the People’s Doctor to be honoured ‘in this way’.

Abu Bakr, second of the three Asvat brothers (all medical practitioners) was born in 17th street Vrededorp of 23rd February 1943. His formal education, primary and secondary was comprehensively completed at the Bree Street Indian Government and Johannesburg Indian High Schools (JIHS). His humble (often mischievous) demeanour belied the giant strides he was destined to take in later life.

Abu was single-minded in all that he did, be it school or at play. Already, in his mid-teens, while at JIHS, he had left an indelible imprint on his peers. An innocent ‘scrap’ between boys in the school ground during break had turned into a nasty sectarian affair. Hindu and muslim pupils cussed one another and “Hurly” (to knowing friends and family) became embroiled in his first ‘bridge-building’ exercise. Undying friendship ruled ever after…

He represented school at cricket and football. Upon matriculation, grand apartheid decreed that he had to go abroad to fulfil his long-cherished desire of becoming a doctor. Legalised segregation in South Africa coupled with social and ethnic divisions in Pakistan, further impacted on his human rights leanings. The die was cast… and a human rights icon was born.

On his return following graduation as a doctor, Asvat completed his housemanship, and opted to be a resident MD at the then Coronation (now Rahima Moosa) Hospital. It was here that his inherent, and avowed, opposition to anything discriminatory, was further cemented.
Non-white doctors and nurses were blatantly side-lined where promotions were affected. Glaring discrepancies in salaries and wages, as well as in all other facets in their professions were inhumanely manifested.

To further support his single-mindedness, Abu was a loyal, and justly proud, one-team man in both cricket and football. Apart from representing his school and college, he only represented Crescents Cricket Club and Olympians Football Club.

At cricket, he was a dour top/middle order batsman who had always put the club before personal glory. As a wicketkeeper-cum-close in fielder, he performed admirably. For Olympians, he was forever a hard tackling defender. Hurly was a genuine “team man for all seasons”.

Well batted sir, and the opposition knew they were in a tough match on the soccer field… Rest well, Abu!