He was educated at the Inanda State – Aided Primary School before matriculating at the Sastri College, a remarkable achievement in that day and age. He taught for a number of years at the Inanda School which was a few hundred meters from his residence. He was an extremely hard-working teacher, dedicating many hours after school to ensure his pupils achieved good results. It was not long before his proficiency was recognized and he became the Principal of Blackburn Primary School.

While his main occupation was teaching, he was also the poor people’s champion. He was a devout Hindu and a cultural leader, observing and celebrating religious occasions with great pomp and splendor. He was the founder member of the Inanda Youth Movement in 1941, a movement that was to become the Inanda Indian Welfare Society in 1943. He worked tirelessly to bring hope and joy to the destitute. Many, if not all of those who became members of the Child Welfare Movement were former pupils of Inanda Primary. Some of whom he initiated are still members while others passed on with the badge of honour of being Child Welfare members until their deaths. Another organization in which Mr Mangrey played a pivotal role was FOSA ( Friends of the Sick Association ) which operated side by side with the Child Welfare Society, having the same core members.

It is difficult to encapsulate all the achievements and accolades in this short tribute to a man who dedicated his life to the community, for his sincerity of purpose , dedication to a cause and an excellent example of a person whose simple epitaph should proclaim: This was a man.

He attended the Inanda State- Aided Primary School thereafter proceeding to Verulam High to complete his junior Certificate and then to Sastri College where he completed his matriculation with exemption in 1957. He then went to Springfield College where he completed his Diploma in Teaching.

He began his teaching career in 1960 at Fountain Head State-Aided Primary School in Umkomaas. In 1966 he was appointed to Avoca Secondary School where he became Head of Department in English. In 1979 he was promoted to a lectureship in English at Springfield College. After 5 years he was promoted as Deputy Principle. He was then seconded back to Springfield College to lecture to in-service teachers. He then returned as Deputy Principle to Northmead Secondary in phoenix. He acted as Principle of Havenpark and Northmead Secondary before being promoted as Principle of Gandhi Desai Secondary School. After its closure he became principle of Sastri College. He was then promoted to Solvista Secondary, a Complex Secondary School. He took early retirement in 1998.

Mr Ganesh began his community work in 1963 as a member of the local ratepayer’s association. He became councilor in 1995, fought two elections successfully in 1996 and 200, lost in 2006 and regained his position as Ward Councilor in 2011.

Apart from hid academic and political career, Mr Ganesh made his mark in community work especially in the field of Child Welfare. He joined the movement in 1996 and became the president, taking over the reins from his teacher, Mr Mangrey. He remained in this position for close on three and a half decades when he decided to relinquish the position, an act which he was proud to execute. He was succeeded by Mr Shiner Ramkisson who is the present incumbent.

Mr Ganesh continues to fulfil his duties with commitment and dedication, grateful that he can make this world a better place to live in. The Society wishes him well.