U-Sam Pillay wazalwa ngo-1957 e-Cato Manor, eThekwini. Eminyakeni engu-17 wasungula iklabhu lentsha elibizwa ngeSunshine. Iklabhu yentsha ehlela ezemidlalo nezenhlalo. Waphinde wafaka isandla ukuqoqa izimali zomngcwabo wabafundi baseMeadowlands ababulawa ngesikhathi besohambweni lwesikole.
U-Sam Pillay wabamba iqhaza elibonakalayo enhlanganweni elwa nobandlululo. Ubeyilungu le-Kharwastan Civics Association, i-South African Democratic Teacher Union, i-United Democratic Front (UDF) kanye ne-African National Congress. U-Sam Pillay waba neqhaza elikhulu ekusunguleni izinhlaka ze-ANC e-Chatsworth. Uqoqe imali yenhlangano yokusiza abagulayo nabakhubazekile kanti ubengumphathi we-Chartsworth Anti Drug Forum (ADF). U-Sam Pillay udlule emhlabeni ngomhlaka-25 Januwari 2021 ngenxa yezinkinga ezihlobene ne-COVID-19.