Radha Poonoosamy

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Radha Poonoosamy
GOSK
Minister of Women's Affairs, Prices and Consumer Protection
In office
10 June 1975 – 27 December 1976
Prime MinisterSeewoosagur Ramgoolam
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byShirin Aumeeruddy-Cziffra (Women's Rights and Family Welfare)[a]
Simadree Virahsawmy (Prices and Consumer Protection)
In office
1975 – 21 October 1976
Preceded byMohabeer Foogooa
Succeeded bySuresh Moorba
Personal details
Born(1924-09-18)18 September 1924
Durban, South Africa
Died15 January 2008(2008-01-15) (aged 83)
Durban, South Africa
Political partyLabour Party
SpouseValaydon Poonoosamy

Radhamaney Poonoosamy GOSK (Tamil: ராதா பொன்னுசாமி படையாச்சி) (née Padayachy; 18 September 1924 – 15 January 2008), was a Mauritian politician and feminist activist.

She was the first female minister in Mauritius, being appointed as minister of Women's Affairs, Prices and Consumer Protection under the government of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam. Poonoosamy had made history before in 1969 by becoming the first deputy mayor appointed in Mauritian local government.

Early life

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She was born Radhamaney Padayachy on 18 September 1924 in Durban, South Africa.[1][2] She was born into a family of Indian ancestry.[3]

She was educated at the University of Natal, where she was an "outspoken opponent of apartheid", and became a member of the Student Council of the Indian National Congress, which fought against anti-Indian discrimination in South Africa.[3] She went on to become head of the women's section, and also a member of the executive committee of the African National Congress (ANC).[3]

Political career

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After she moved to Mauritius in 1952, Poonoosamy continued her activism there within the Mauritius Labour Party.[3] She ran as a candidate of the Labour Party under the banner of the Independence Party for the general election held in 1967.[4] Poonoosamy ran for the constituency of Belle Rose and Quatre Bornes, but failed to be elected and placed fifth overall. The entire constituency was won by the Parti Mauricien Social Démocrate. She was the only female candidate fielded in the general election.[2]

Poonoosamy made history by becoming the first woman elected to become deputy mayor of Quatre Bornes on 15 April 1969.[5][4]

In 1975, Poonoosamy was elected a Member of Parliament following the death of Mohabeer Foogooa. Because by-elections were abolished at that time since 1970, Poonoosamy was chosen by the Electoral Commission to replace Foogooa.[6][4]

She was appointed as Minister of Women's Affairs, Prices and Consumer Protection by Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam on 10 June 1975, becoming the country's first female minister and the inaugural minister in charge of the Ministry of Women's Affairs.[6][5] Poonoosamy helped pass laws against sex discrimination.[3][7]

In 1976, Poonoosamy ran for reelection as member of parliament for the constituency of Grand Baie and Poudre d'Or under the banner of Independence Party. Howveer, she was placed sixth overall and lost the election.[2]

Poonoosamy would be awarded the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean as a Grand Officer in 2006 in recognition of her services to the Mauritian nation.[2]

Personal life

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She married the physician Dr. Valaydon Poonoosamy, and they settled in Mauritius in 1952.[4] She became a naturalized citizen thereafter.[3]

Following two years of illness, Poonoosamy died at the age of 84 in Durban, South Africa, surrounded by her family.[8]

Notes

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  1. ^ Portfolio vacant until 1982.

References

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  1. ^ Akyeampong, Emmanuel K; Gates, Henry Louis, eds. (2012). "Poonoosamy, Radha - Oxford Reference". oxfordreference.com. doi:10.1093/acref/9780195382075.001.0001. ISBN 9780195382075. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d "Centenaire de Naissance : À la mémoire de Radhamaney Poonoosamy (1924-2008), première femme ministre de Maurice". lemauricien.com (in French). Le Mauricien. 18 September 2024. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr.; Professor Emmanuel Akyeampong; Mr. Steven J. Niven (2 February 2012). Dictionary of African Biography. OUP USA. p. 4. ISBN 978-0-19-538207-5. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d "Il y a 50 ans: Mme Radha Poonoosamy devient la première femme adjointe au maire". lexpress.mu (in French). L'Express. 15 April 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Mémoire nécessaire". lexpress.mu (in French). L'Express. 3 January 2025. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  6. ^ a b "L'express 60 ans│1975: l'année de tous les malheurs". lexpress.mu (in French). L'Express. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
  7. ^ "A Liberation Week: Women on the Move". mauritiustimes.com. 15 March 2016. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  8. ^ "Radhamaney Poonoosamy est décédée". lexpress.mu (in French). L'Express. 16 January 2008. Retrieved 8 October 2025.