‘I don’t think there is any decision that I would change’
KRISH Kumar, the eThekwini Municipality’s chief financial officer, recently submitted his resignation after serving 40 years in the city. Kumar spoke to
Chanelle Lutchman.
CHANELLE LUTCHMAN (CL):
Where were you born and raised?
KRISH KUMAR (KK): I was born in 1962 on a romantic day – Valentine’s Day. My family lived on Ritson Road in central Durban and I was fortunate to have Fatima Meer as my neighbour on one side and on the other side was the Bramdaw family, who owned the Leader newspaper.
I had an enlightened political upbringing. We were kept well-informed. However, in 1968, due to the Group Areas Act, we had to be moved. My family was one of the last families to be relocated to Reservoir Hills. I did Grade 1 at Centenary Methodist School, which was nicknamed Penny a Penny because it was old and dilapidated.
Grade 2 onwards was in Resmount Primary and Durban Heights Primary and finally Reservoir Hills Secondary. When I was younger, I would walk through the Berea without fear. I enjoyed watching sports at Curries Fountain. Although we were relocated to Reservoir Hills, I have never moved out of the area. I like the area and I like that it’s accessible to me. I have lived here for more than 50 years.
CL: How has your childhood shaped you into the person you
