Interview by Professor David B Lingiah

Struggles and Achievements

Sam Lingayah 

This is the autobiography of a Mauritian immigrant who, by sheer grit, effort and perseverance, has risen from child labourer to PhD, with several publications to his credit. A limited number of copies will be published in Spring. To avoid disappointment and receive a discounted copy of the book, compatriots and others are requested to support this project by placing an order now to S. Lingayah at 38 kimberley Road, London N17 9BJ.

Sam Lingayah is well known through his surveys and publications in Mauritius as well as by readers of Mauritian Abroad and Mauritius News. One of the distinguished former editors of the Week End, Pierre Bènoit, in an earlier interview, placed Sam Lingayah among “the extraordinary Mauritians”. Applying the people-centred methodology, Sam has conducted a number of sympathetic studies about overseas Mauritians and Rodriguan compatriots, in addition to his Social Welfare in Mauritius and other publications and regular contribution to L’Express.

Reviewing the manuscript of the new project, Prof. Roger Haw of Ansted University, Malaysia, makes this comment:

Dr Sam Lingayah’s Reminiscences has described the unfolding of human

drama in its rawest and purest form.

Prof. Tim Butler of King’s College London has summarised Sam’s autobiography thus:

This is a story of our time that deserves to be read by all who decry

immigrants and immigration. Sam Lingayah’s story of his life from

day labourer to retired Social Worker with a PhD … is proof of …

achievements. Sadly, Sam’s story is one where the successes have

often had to be achieved in the face of persistent institutional racism

and it is a tribute to him that not only did he achieve but also that he

has chosen to write about it.