Born 29 November 1944 in the Grey Street area, Durban. Ashwin Trikamjee grew up in Durban and has practised there since the completion of his articles in clerkship with Amin and Company. A graduate of UNISA, Mr. Trikamjee practised as a partner of Amin & Trikamjee from 1976 to 1993, when his firm merged with Garlicke and Bousfield where he is currently an executive consultant.
Being the first non-white President of the Association of Law Societies of South Africa (ALS) is the culmination in a long line of ‘firsts’ for Trikamjee. He was the first non-white Chairperson of the Durban Legal Association and served as a council member of the Natal Law Society from 1984 until 1994 and was the first non-white president of the Society from 1992 to 1994.
Trikamjee was also involved in the Black Conscious Movement, as Chairperson of the Natal Indian Congress (Durban Central) and later Treasurer of TECON (Theatre Council of Natal). At international level, Trikamjee has been a Member of the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Committee, Deputy Chairperson of the IBA African Regional Conference and a Council member of the IBA.
During his career, Trikamjee has also been the Chairman of the disciplinary committee of the Estate Agency Affairs Board KwaZulu-Natal, KwaZulu-Natal Gambling Board, Bookmaker’s Control Committee, SABC Pension Fund, Chairman and Founder of Fasic Investment Corporation, Deputy Chairperson of Lion Match Limited and Director of Old Mutual Limited.
Trikamjee is also well-known in soccer circles, having been the longest serving council member of the South African Soccer Federation, from 1973 to 1991. He was president of the Federation Professional League from 1979 to 1991, and Chairman of the National Soccer League from 1992 to 1994 and, during the same period, Vice-President of the SA Football Association. He was also a member of the international board of that body and is currently a member of the South African Football Association’s Appeal Board.
Trikamjee serves on various religious and cultural bodies within the Hindu community and has been the president of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha and Chairperson of the National Religious Leaders Forum.