About this site

This resource is hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, but was compiled and authored by Padraig O’Malley. It is the product of almost two decades of research and includes analyses, chronologies, historical documents, and interviews from the apartheid and post-apartheid eras.

Pillay, Ivan

Pillay was born in Merebank, Durban.

He was influenced by the Black Consciousness Movement in the 1970s and was involved in the pro-Frelimo rallies in 1975.  He was part of the team who organised for Mac Maharaj to leave South Africa in 1977.

He left the country in 1977 to go to Swaziland and underwent training in Mozambique.  He joined MK and became a member of the Internal Political Reconstruction Committee.  From 1980 – 1985 he was the commander of the MJK unit. He was also a member of the Central Committee of the SACP.

He played an important role in Operation Vula, sending people and weapons into South Africa.

This resource is hosted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, but was compiled and authored by Padraig O’Malley. Return to theThis resource is hosted by the site.