Dr Mahmoud Baker closes a defining chapter in SA
Dr Mahmoud Youssef Baker, economist and visionary behind Iqraa Trust’s far-reaching educational and humanitarian work, is retiring and returning to Egypt — closing a remarkable chapter of nation-building that touched thousands of lives.
AFTER 34 years of shaping education and community development across the country, economist and humanitarian Dr Mahmoud Youssef Baker is bidding farewell to South Africa and returning to Egypt where he will be retiring.
Having arrived in the country in the 1980s, after being requested by the late Sheikh Saleh Kamel, founder of Saudi Albaraka group, to travel from London to SA to help establish Albaraka Bank, Dr Baker found himself planting his roots and seeds that bore fruit for the nation through the Iqraa Trust.
This assignment sparked a lifelong bond with the country, one that evolved into a mission of empowering and supporting more than 1600 organisations and thousands of students across the nation.
The bonds he made through his work, philanthropy and dedication to education were visible on Saturday during his farewell party at the Iqraa Trust Knowledge Centre which is at Hunt Road Secondary School in Glenwood.
The evening was filled with tributes that celebrated his kindness, humility, and dedication to humanity. In his farewell address, Dr Baker reflected on his journey and the values that drew him close to SA.
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“I started visiting South Africa regularly over the past 34 years and settled permanently in the last 17 years,” he shared. “What I will miss most is the hundreds of great friends from all over South Africa; it will be impossible for me to make that kind of great friendships in Egypt.” As he prepares to return home, Dr Baker said he carries with him lasting memories and admiration for South Africa’s democracy and freedoms.
“I will return to Egypt with a lot of good memories of this beautiful country, the democracy and the rule of law which is unfortunately not available in Egypt. I used to write freely for newspapers here, sometimes even criticising government policies, without fear or restriction. Sadly, I was banned from publishing in Egypt for the last five years because of some of my economic articles, not even political ones.”
Having witnessed South Africa’s transition from apartheid to democracy, Dr Baker spoke candidly about his hopes for the country’s next generation: “Unfortunately, the South African government failed to set a good example for the younger generation, who lack role models to follow. That’s why I always spoke to students, from universities to primary schools, about the importance of good citizenship. South Africa needs a new generation of citizens who will be assets, not liabilities.”
His farewell was attended by colleagues from universities, business, and civil society, including Professor Salim Abdool Karim and Quarraisha Abdool Karim (CAPRISA), Mr PB Mkhize, Principal of Hunt Road Secondary School, Professor Jairam Reddy, Trustee of the Dennis Hurley Centre, MUT Director Stakeholder Relations Zama Sishi, Shabir Chohan (Albaraka Bank), and Advocate Mohammed Vahed (Young Leaders Academy), among others.
“I was very happy, and some speeches made me a little emotional as well,” said Baker. “I will never forget this function, and I am very grateful.”
Before closing the evening, Baker introduced Ismail Mahomed as his successor at Iqraa Trust, expressing confidence in the continued growth of the organisation he helped shape.
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