Remembering Naadir Agherdien: A community leader's legacy of service and dedication

The community is mourning the loss of Naadir Agherdien, a deeply respected figure whose life was marked by service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to upliftment, whether in professional circles, sport, or community development.

Mr Agherdien died at the age of 61 and his janaazah was at his home in Wynberg, on Tuesday June 24.

Born in Port Elizabeth, Mr Agherdien moved to Cape Town during his teenage years and grew up in the Fairways area. From a young age, he displayed an exceptional drive to contribute meaningfully to society. Over the decades, he made his mark as a pioneering IT professional, sports administrator, and a pillar of strength in numerous community initiatives.

He spent many years at Sanlam, where he worked in IT operations, overseeing operating systems, before retiring early due to medical reasons. However, retirement never meant slowing down for Mr Agherdien. Even from home, he continued to lend his expertise to organisations and sports clubs, helping them with strategic planning, governance, and constitutional development. His mind remained sharp, his passion intact, said his son Dehraan Agherdien.

Mr Agherdien junior said his dad’s ability to revive struggling clubs and organisations became a defining trait. His leadership turned challenges into success stories, earning him the respect of peers across the country.

“His approach was hands-on, strategic, and always value-driven,” said Mr Agherdien junior.

As a father, he was known for his warmth, wisdom, and support. His children remember him as a man who encouraged service, community involvement, and excellence in everything they did.

“He took the most pride when we gave back to society, continuing his legacy of generosity. There will always be two types of people in the world - givers and takers. My father was always a giver,” said Mr Agherdien junior.

Those who worked with him recall his high standards, meticulous planning, and generosity of spirit. His son said his janaazah was visited by so many people who came from all over to pay their respects. One Sheigh of Strand came to tell us:  “‘Your father taught me something I’ll never forget and I still apply it in my life today’,” he said.

A formidable figure in the golfing world, Mr Agherdien was a dedicated player and administrator.

Mr Agherdien junior said: “My dad held many leadership roles including being the chairperson of Mountview Charity Golf Club (CGC) from 2002 to 2007, he was a life member of Mountview CGC (2014), he served as SAGA (South African Golf Association) president for a two-year term, beginning in February 2019. His term was marked by his efforts to unify amateur golf structures into GolfRSA. He stepped down in September 2020 due to health reasons."

Other titles that Mr Agherdien wore were president of the Western Province Golf Union, president of Parow Golf Club, and vice-president of the African Golf Confederation Board.

“Naadir was a devoted servant of the game whose influence touched countless lives throughout his journey in golf,” said Grant Hepburn, GolfRSA chief executive officer, on the SA Sports Press website.

Mr Agherdien also played a vital role at Beit-ul-Aman Home for the Aged, in Wynberg where he served on the board and was active in projects aimed at upgrading facilities and improving the quality of life for residents. His contributions were instrumental in ensuring the home’s continued growth and relevance in the community.

Despite his health challenges, Mr Agherdien remained engaged and dedicated to every cause he touched. He embodied dignity, vision, and the spirit of community, right until the end.

Suhair Solomon, chairperson, since 2023 of Beit-ul-Aman said: “Naadir began his journey with Beitul Aman in 2001, bringing with him not only his deep moral compass but also the wealth of skills he had gained as a Sanlam executive. 

“From the outset, Naadir brought every part of himself -  his expertise, abilities, and heart - to Beit-ul-Aman. Known for his sharp business acumen, strategic mind, and unwavering attention to detail, he breathed new life into the governance structures of the home. He played a vital role in ensuring financial stability, securing donor support, and building a strong, accountable governance framework that adhered strictly to the constitution. His foresight meant he was always one step ahead, offering overarching strategic direction and vision,” said Ms Solomon.

In 2009, Naadir was elected chairperson of the Beit-ul-Aman board, a position he held until 2013. In 2014, he was elected vice-chairperson and continued serving as a dedicated board member until his passing. 

Ms Solomon said: “Naadir was still actively involved at the annual general meeting last Saturday, where he co-chaired proceedings and helped elect the new board.”

“Over the past year, he focused much of his energy on strengthening Beit-ul-Aman’s constitutional foundations, mapping internal processes, updating policies, and working tirelessly to fortify the organisation’s systems. He spent several days a week on-site, deeply involved in these efforts,” said Ms Solomon.

His strong personality and thoughtful challenges inspired his colleagues to confront difficult issues with courage and clarity.

“I benefited so much from his insight. I am grateful to have worked alongside him," said Ms Solomon.

Soraya Jeppie, best friend and colleague and member of Beit-ul-Aman said: “I met Naadir 23 years ago at a golf tournament in Mafikeng. I was the only woman playing golf, and Naadir immediately gravitated towards my husband, Phaldie, and me. That was the beginning of a close friendship. We became golf partners and best friends, spending holidays together with him and his wife Yumna, a true friendship couple.”

Ms Jeppie had been at Beitul Aman for 44 years.

“When Naadir joined, I was part of voting him onto the board because I knew he had a skill set (management) that would benefit the home. Just last week at the AGM, he was voted onto the exco. His contributions were immense -  he rewrote the constitution, drafted 15 different policies, and helped us implement around 10 of them. We worked together at a Beit-ul-Aman bosberaad weekend: strategic planning, programmes, policy updates, and resident admissions. Most of his ideas have been put into action,” said Ms Jeppie.

Mr Agherdien was meticulous with meetings, spot-on with procedures, and strict in his conduct. “We’ve learned so much from him. He made a real difference. If something needed to be done, he’d research it thoroughly. He’d sit in on union meetings, making sure salaries and processes were handled the right way, according to the book. 

“Even when his health was failing, he would be at Beit-ul-Aman every single day, working, sitting in the office, driving initiatives forward. It feels strange now, the silence - he has left such a void in our lives. We relied on him so much.” 

Fareed Abrahams, operations manager, at Beit-ul-Aman, who worked closely with Mr Agherdien said: “Naadir was methodical and structured - that was just who he was. Whether it was in his role as SA Golf President or in his work with Beit-ul-Aman, he carried that disciplined approach into everything he did.

“Naadir didn’t just focus on modernising systems, he strengthened the organisation’s governance, drawing from his corporate experience.

“We both came from similar corporate worlds, so I saw how he applied those principles here. He would tackle something thoroughly, making sure it was right, and then move on to the next task with the same dedication.

“Just this week, I ran into a challenge on the IT side, and his absence left a huge gap,” said Mr Abrahams.

Mr Agherdien leaves his wife Yumna, children Reyhana and Dehraan.