Ismail Abass Haffajee (Haffy) writes a tribute to Dr Muhammed E Bawa (1946 – 2026):

My buddy, my pal, and my brother.

Dr Bawa, the people’s doctor, was my friend for some 55 years.

We first met on a sunny February day in 1971 on the steps of the iconic Jameson Hall at UCT.

To me, he was ‘Mo’, and to him I was ‘Haffy’.

Bawa was born in 1946 in Greytown. He completed his B.Sc degree during the late ’60’s at the infamous Saulsbury Island University in Durban.

Thereafter, he started his medical studies at UCT in 1971. His medical studies were funded by the HS Ebrahim Trust.

After graduating, he opted to pay back the loan. This act was so unusual and impressive at the time that the Trust administrator also offered him a special ride in the trademark turquoise Rolls-Royce!

For a short while, he worked at the Groote Schuur and Somerset Hospitals in Cape Town.

He then moved to Gauteng and joined Dr Nana at his busy practice in Johannesburg. It was marriage that lured him to Benoni. In 1983, he married Dr Salma Surtee and opted to live and practice medicine on the East Rand.

Apart from establishing a robust practice, Bawa soon became a household name for house calls. He diligently serviced all colours and creeds. Simultaneously, he was thrust into executive positions in the Benoni Muslim Jamaat (BMJ) and Young Men’s Muslim Association (YMMA).

He also headed up the Actonville Welfare Society.

But the hallmark of his various community activities was the establishment of a much-needed Diabetic Clinic in Actonville.

This facility was run by him voluntarily each Sunday morning with a dedicated young corps at no charge to patients. He managed this facility for about 10 years.

ALSO READ: Letter to the Editor: Bawa was a physician of note

Alas! He was then struck with serious health issues! He had major open-heart surgery at Morningside Clinic some 30 years ago. He survived, recovered and after much-needed rest, was back in practice.

Naturally, some of his many social community activities had to be curtailed.

The restlessness in him grew, and the spirit of community service did not allow him to simply sit back.

He motivated the creation of the BMJ bursary fund to help needy students further their tertiary education dreams.

Once again, he was supported by a very small but dedicated team of individuals to implement this task.

The BMJ bursary fund is, to this day, well established and fulfils a much-needed service. Many graduates have been supported through this program.

Bawa had another serious health relapse some 12 years ago.

This time, he was cared for at Linksfield Hospital. Thanks to the meticulous and professional support from medical staff, he recovered and was soon back to normal health. He continued his medical practice on a mornings-only basis.

Dr Bawa was a nature lover and a keen gardener. He loved hiking in the Suikerbosrand during the early mornings.

He enjoyed samoosas and tea on top of the hill overlooking the Joburg skyline.

For almost 20 years, he was part of a foursome team that had breakfast meetings each quarter. He so loved those little social get-togethers.

The last such breakfast meeting was just prior to Ramadhan on January 6.

At the Jaame Masjid of Actonville, the spot #1 on the right side of the first saff will, In-Sha-Allah, bear witness to his daily presence at Fajr salaah.

He loved the Quran recited by the Imams Qari Salim and Ml Manzoor. He opened the masjid early each morning and diligently read Quraan and performed lengthy sujood before the Fajr Salaah.

It is common knowledge that he re-learnt the Quran in Benoni and was always reading Quraan at all times – even in his practice.

That corner parking on little Dass street where his ‘HH’ Merc once stood is a vivid reminder for each arriving Musallee that we all have to return to our Maker at some time.

On many a morning after Fajr salaah, he would voluntarily assist anyone who needed relief – at no charge.

Yet his crowning joy, which gave him pure delight, was when his protegé of many years recently completed her medical studies at Wits University.

Bawa had mentored and supported this young lady throughout her formative education years.

The knowledge that she was now a qualified medical doctor was for him ‘mission accomplished’. What an amazing legacy!

Dr Bawa travelled widely. He performed his Fardh Hajj. He also performed multiple Ramadhaan Umrahs as well as multiple other Umrahs.

He loved Baitullah Shareef and Madinah. He always spoke nostalgically and lovingly of these Mubarak places.

Dr Bawa so valiantly proclaimed very often in public and private that once his body was washed and shrouded, he would like to be in his new abode – the Qabar – with haste. His dua was accepted.

As per his request, the two noble Imaams of Jaame Masjid of Actonville, Qari Salim and Moulana Manzoor, did the final rites at his burial. Many hands readied themselves to fill his grave.

Many a good word can be uttered for this giant of a man. Truly, he has done his time. He had done his life’s work. He finally breathed his last at about Maghrib time on Sunday, April 26, and returned to his Rafeeq-Ul-‘Ala.

Verily, we belong to The Almighty, and unto Him we return.

Truly, a people’s doctor is lost!

Bawa is survived by his wife, Dr Salma, his very dutiful son, Ahmed, and three beautiful grandchildren.

ALSO READ: Letter to the Editor: In memory of Dr ME Bawa