Beloved stalwart ‘Aunty Ram’ dies aged 98
She embraced strong traditional values with an open-minded, gentle mix of the modern.
TRIBUTE
The community of Port Shepstone is mourning the loss of a beloved stalwart, Sounthallay Appalraju, wife of the late Ram Appalraju.
Popularly known as Aunty Ram, she died peacefully at the age of 98 on November 1.
Aunty Ram linked two pioneering families – the Vagiraju Appalraju (formerly of Louisiana) and SR Naidoo family of north Shepstone, who established farming and business enterprises in the early 1920s.
She embraced strong traditional values with an open-minded, gentle mix of the modern.
She related easily to people in all walks of life, playing an active role in organisations such as Divine Life, The Tamil Association, The Andhra Sabha and the Sai Centre.
On a personal level she was a woman of joyful spirit, generous heart, sharp mind and an infectious smile.
As long ago as 1937, she achieved the unique honour of being the only girl in an all-boys Standard 6 class.
On leaving school with a certificate, she was taught by her astute businessman-father, SR Naidoo to keep accounts and write out cheques for the business.
So, it was with little wonder that in later years she served the Women’s Institute as treasurer with distinction for 22 years.
Moreover, her passion for reading was expressed in her life-long daily reading of newspapers, religious texts and novels which included the English classics.
Another notable achievement was her obtaining her driver’s licence in 1959, in an era when it was rare for Indian women to drive a manual rather than an automatic vehicle.
Mrs Ram travelled widely, not only in South Africa, but filled her life-long wish to journey to the US, Canada, India and the Far East.
She also undertook several cruises to nearby islands.
Her long life is attributed to an active lifestyle and the wonderful medical care she received from the late Dr Michael Gabriel, Dr Dilly Naidoo and, in recent years, from her nephew Dr Devan Appalraju, who administered to her needs, often at odd hours of the day and night.
Mrs Ram Appalraju leaves behind her three sons Devraj, Jaya and Nathan, her two daughters Saras and Prem, her son-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchildren and two sisters and a brother who reside in various parts of the world.
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