The Tongaat community has lost one of its finest sons — a servant leader whose life was a living testament to humility, wisdom, empathy, and love.
Jackie Chetty was not merely a man of words; he was a man of action. His very life spoke of values, integrity, and a higher purpose.
Our paths first crossed in the mid-1970s, when Jackie and his close friend and fellow educator, Mike Ballissoon, resided in Watsonia. At that time, I was living in Chelmsford Heights and had become active in the organised civic movement in Tongaat. Both Jackie and Mike were leading figures in the Watsonia Civic Association, one of the stronger affiliates of the Tongaat Civic Association — then a powerful and respected voice of the Tongaat community.
For decades, Jackie stood as a moral compass for our generation of activists who came of age in the late 1970s. He never needed to raise his voice from the rooftops. His quiet strength, resilience in adversity, and deep compassion were lessons in themselves. We drew inspiration from his nobility, his unassuming personality, and his unwavering commitment to justice and community service.
Jackie wore many hats with grace and courage — teacher, principal, political activist, civic leader, mentor, and friend. In each of these roles, he carried himself with intellectual rigour, humility, and an unshakeable sense of balance. He empowered a generation of activists, myself included, to walk the path of truth, discipline, and selfless service.
We served side by side for decades — in the Tongaat Child Welfare Society, in civic and political movements, and in countless community struggles. Through it all, Jackie’s light shone steadily: guiding, encouraging, and challenging us to remain rooted in compassion and determination.
His legacy is etched not only in the history of Tongaat, but also in the lives of the countless individuals who were uplifted and inspired by his example.
Today, as we bow our heads in grief, we also lift our hearts in gratitude. Jackie’s life was a blessing; his friendship, a gift; his memory, a treasure. He leaves us richer in spirit, bathed in the warmth of his light, and charged with carrying forward his dream of a more just and compassionate society for generations to come.
Rest in peace, dearest Jackie.
Your journey with us may have ended, but your presence will live forever — in our hearts, in our community, and in the enduring values you so selflessly embodied.
With love, light, and eternal respect,
Siva Naidoo
Comrade and Friend
Past President – Tongaat Civic Association
Past President – Tongaat Child Welfare Society
Lonehill, Sandton
