Thirumalin Pillay (Marlin), one of seven children, was born in Merebank, Durban, Natal (now KwaZulu-Natal-KZN) on 18 November 1960. After matriculating (Grade 12), he qualified as a diesel mechanic and was self-employed for many years.
In 1996, he began working at the eThekwini Municipality’s Durban Solid Waste and was employed there for 26 years until he was diagnosed with cancer in 2022, which he succumbed to a little while later. He also completed a Transport Management diploma at the University of Johannesburg while working at the eThekwini Municipality.
It was no accident that Marlin became involved in the liberation struggle. He grew up in Merebank, an area known for its high political consciousness, which produced many community activists like Visvanathan (Ivan) Pillay, Krishna Rabilal, Raymond Lalla, Coastal Govender, Barry Kistnasamy, Spider Juggernath, and many others. Growing up, Marlin's political ideology was influenced by his neighbours, Coastal Govender and Barry Kistnasamy.
He actively volunteered in numerous community organisations and played a significant role in the clandestine underground networks of the liberation movement. Marlin was involved in Operation Butterfly, led by the late Dr Vejay Ramlakan, who later became the Surgeon General of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and personal physician to former President Nelson Mandela. Operation Butterfly was an uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) project aimed to infiltrate MK operatives from Swaziland into South Africa for covert military operations. Marlin used his technical skills as an automotive mechanic to prepare and vet all the vehicles used in MK's Operation Butterfly’s clandestine operations. He was fondly referred to as the underground "Minister of Transport". It was a deliberate move on his part to remain self-employed in the 1980s to have the flexibility to execute his underground activities.
Very often Operation Butterfly operatives would use hired cars for their missions. His role entailed disconnecting the odometer and any tracking devices installed in the rented vehicles used in Operation Butterfly. He was also responsible for equipping these vehicles with guns, weaponry and explosives necessary for whatever operation was underway. This was usually done by hiding weapons in false petrol tanks. Marlin’s role was to restore these vehicles to their original condition before returning them to the car rental companies. Marlin became lifelong friends with Dr Vejay Ramlakan and his wife, Dr Sandy Africa, another struggle veteran.
Post-liberation, when South Africa had achieved democracy, Marlin continued to be a valued and trusted member of the Merewent Ratepayers Association, the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) and the African National Congress (ANC) (Merebank Branch). He is a founder member of the Krishna Rabilal Foundation in Merebank. He gave freely of himself and his resources. In his last days, from his hospital bed, he co-ordinated a project for the Merebank Book Project.
Marlin's great love for humanity guided him, and his kindness and compassion touched many people’s lives. He has left behind the legacy of a true revolutionary.
Thirumalin Pillay (Marlin) passed away on 1 February 2024. He leaves behind his wife, Padmini and a son Adrian.