The death of renowned activist and academic Professor Hoosen Jerry Coovadia has left a hole in the medical community and South Africa as a whole. Coovadia, affectionately referred to as Jerry by many, died at his home in Durban on Wednesday, 4 October 2023, at the age of 83.
The TAC, which drew strength from Coovadia’s resistance to Aids denialism, released a statement in honour of his life. In it, TAC national chairperson Sibongile Tshabalala said: “As a person living openly with HIV, I am one of the many people whose life was positively influenced by him. The country has lost a true leader, a hero of the HIV/Aids struggle.”
The RHAP added that Coovadia’s legacy would continue to inspire generations of healthcare professionals to serve with compassion, integrity and an unyielding dedication to the betterment of humankind. Mathivha was told that black women did not have the intellectual capacity to handle specialisation, but Coovadia would not take that lying down. “He told me I would get the post, and I must not undermine myself,” she recounted. “He supported me. He always offered his ear to listen, even when I was out of his teaching circuit. A great teacher. I never met his family, but I offer my condolences to them. Our souls would not see the rainbow if our eyes never shed tears.
said Coovadia will be remembered as an activist, freedom fighter, advocate, scientist, teacher, clinician and “one who was never afraid to speak truth to power up to the end”. Sham Maharaj, an activist from Phoenix in Durban, remembered Coovadia for his work to uplift the local community. “Jerry was one of the stalwarts that helped to establish the Phoenix Working Committee and Phoenix Child Welfare in the late Seventies and early Eighties. May his soul rest in peace… Will always be remembered as our selfless leader.”President Cyril Ramaphosa added to the outpouring of grief, paying tribute to Coovadia’s legacy as a scientist and struggle stalwart.
Former finance minister and chairperson of the board of directors at Old Mutual Trevor Manuel acknowledged Coovadia’s contribution to the National Planning Commission and healthcare in South Africa.