Saldanha, who resigned as Print Media GM two months ago, recently achieved an MPhil (Ethics) from the University of Johannesburg. He was a former journalist at The Star (1980 - 1986), after which he worked in the non-profit sector, holding various senior positions. During the past nine years he established and led two organisations: the Non Profit Partnership and the Charities Aid Foundation. He continued to serve on the boards of a number of non-profit organisations. He also held an MBA from Milpark Business School.
Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), UK, said in a statement late Monday: "We are immensely saddened to announce the untimely death of Eugene Saldanha in Johannesburg last Saturday. Eugene Saldanha was enormously respected as an activist for the not-for-profit sector in southern Africa. CAF appointed Eugene to open its southern Africa office in Johannesburg and to act as CAF's representative in the region in September 1997. Eugene did an outstanding job in establishing CAFSA as an important participant in the NPO sector. Eugene's passion for the sector, his strong ethical values and his intelligence were an invaluable contribution - not just in southern Africa but to the CAF Network of offices. We send our sincere sympathy to Eugene's family and friends at this time."
Dr Ivan May, who knew him through the Charities Aid Foundation, said his death was terribly sad. "He was a very dear man, a gentleman's gentleman. A man who was bright and intelligent, very intense in whatever he did, and passionate about the NGO sector and ethics in the NGO sector."
Another former colleague, Megan Larter, who worked with him when she was CEO of the Magazine Publishers Association of SA, remembers Saldanha as "a kind, thoughtful and gentle man".
"It is a tragic loss," a saddened Larter said.
Saldanha, who took his own life, leaves his mother and a teenage son. His funeral will take place this Wednesday at St Joseph's Catholic Church, Actonville, Benoni, at 11am.
