16 Facts About Kesaveloo Goonam

Kesaveloo Goonam, known as Kesaveloo Goonaruthnum Naidoo was a South African doctor and anti-apartheid activist.

Kesaveloo Goonam was called "Coolie Doctor", which became the title of her 1991 autobiography.

Kesaveloo Goonam's mother Thangatchee Naidoo was from Mauritius, and her father R K Naidoo was born in India.

Kesaveloo Goonam was attending Tamil school Sathia Gnama Sabbaiat, but attended an English-speaking school.

Kesaveloo Goonam went to medical school on Scotland at the University of Edinburgh on 8 March 1928, and returned with her degree to South Africa in 1936 to set up medical practice in Grey Street.

Kesaveloo Goonam was the first Indian woman doctor in South Africa.

Kesaveloo Goonam became involved with organisations like Child Welfare and Friends of The Sick Association.

Kesaveloo Goonam was active with the Natal Indian Congress, and was elected as the vice president and later became acting president.

Kesaveloo Goonam became the committee member of The Anti Segregation Council, with Monty Naicker as chairman which was formed to oppose voluntary segregation on 28 April 1944.

On 29 June 1946, Dr Kesaveloo Goonam was sentenced for six months with seven days hard labour, in addition to seven days hard labour suspended for three months which she had been sentenced to under the Riotous Assemblies Act on 25 June 1946.

Kesaveloo Goonam has been imprisoned 17 times caused of her political activities.

Kesaveloo Goonam left South Africa for England in 1978 to escape harassment from security officer for her own safety.

Kesaveloo Goonam continued to practice medicine for Indian refugees from Uganda and Kenya, before moving to Australia and Zimbabwe.

Kesaveloo Goonam returned to South Africa in 1990, after Nelson Mandela was released from prison.

Kesaveloo Goonam had three children and became a single mother.

Kesaveloo Goonam died on 21 September 1998, aged 92 years.