Sayed Hoosen Mia
As far back as the 1970’s he sponsored the “time to learn” project a part time homework and study group which he paid from his teachers’ salary to aid students who had no electricity or facilities at home. In 1984 he built 1000 homes for the Lenasia community by borrowing R5 million at his own risk, the RDP homes put a roof over the heads of disadvantaged and most deserving families. He was a major contributor and facilitated the construction of the gugulethu school in Orange Farm as well as the Lehae Nursery School in Soweto. He is a patron and sponsor of the smile foundation on an on-going basis as well as a trustee of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation. He donated the land and built the Lenasia SANCA Nishtara Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Lenasia. He won the International Volunteer of The Year 2001 from the United Nations and continues to support the community by serving as a trustee of both the University of Monash and the University of the Western Cape, Trustee of the World Memon Organization, Vice Chairman of the Johannesburg Institute of Social Services, Board member for the Lenasia School for the mentally handicapped, Johannesburg Council for the disabled and Child Welfare.
