Zeib Jeeva named to Order of Ontario

(January 20, 2012) – Zeib Jeeva, a tireless advocate for social justice, is among 27 Ontarians being appointed to the Order of Ontario.

The Order of Ontario is the province’s highest official honour.

“Today has been quite emotional and a humbling day for me,” Zeib Jeeva told IQRA.ca. “There have been many persons that have worked with me over the years on different endeavors therefore this Order is for them.”

The Order of Ontario recognizes any current or former long-time resident of Ontario who has demonstrated a high level of individual excellence and achievement in any field benefiting the people of the Ontario or anywhere in the world.

Zeib Jeeva left his native South Africa when he was refused admission to university because of his race.

After arriving in 1970, he helped mobilize support in Canada and internationally against apartheid – often going against the prevailing business sentiment.

When apartheid ended, Jeeva focused his attention on bringing Canadian assistance and resources to help youth in South Africa.

He established the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.

Zeib Jeeva sits on the board of the International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF) and continues to volunteer with organizations committed to bringing relief and rehabilitation aid to communities devastated by natural disasters, wars and extreme poverty here in Canada and around the world. 

The appointees to the Order of Ontario were chosen for their contributions to the arts, law, science, medicine, history, politics, philanthropy and the environment.

The Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, will invest the appointees at a ceremony on Thursday, January 26 at Queen’s Park.

“The Order of Ontario is the highest provincial honour bestowed on an individual,” said the Honourable David Onley. “With it, we recognize the greatest minds, forward-thinkers, humanitarians, activists and pioneers in our province. These people change lives here and the world over.”