Pillay was born on 21 December 1953 in Natal in South Africa. His ancestors had come from India to the then British colony of Natal, and he grew up in Durban under apartheid.
Pillay was born on 21 December 1953 in Natal, South Africa. His ancestors had migrated from India to the British-controlled territory of Natal, and he grew up in Durban under segregation, which is similar to apartheid.