Ebrahim A. Saloojee *72

Ebrahim A. Saloojee, a prominent figure in the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa, died of Alzheimer’s disease Feb. 1, 2009. He was 73.

Saloojee was a Parvin Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson School during the 1971-1972 school year. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1961 from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. The African National Congress, which became the ruling party under Nelson Mandela, regarded Saloojee as one of its stalwarts.

Saloojee helped form the Johannesburg Indian Social Welfare Agency, and became its CEO as it played an important role in dealing with the socioeconomic problems of black people under apartheid. He was publicity secretary of the Transvaal Indian Congress and was at the forefront of organizing the Indian community under the banner of the African National Congress. Saloojee was a member of parliament and chairman of its social-welfare portfolio committee from 1994 to 1999.

Mary Grace McGeehan *99, who knew Saloojee during her posting to South Africa as a U.S. foreign service officer, said that he “had fond memories of his time at Princeton.”

Saloojee is survived by his wife, Khatja, and two sons.

Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.