Sathasivian Cooper

Sathasivan "Saths" Cooper (born 11 June 1950) is a clinical psychologist in South Africa who was born in Durban of Indian-South African background. He began to identify with the Black Consciousness Movement (BCM) and joined the South African Students' Organisation (SASO), and was one of the so-called "SASO Nine" student leaders arrested in 1974 for their anti-Apartheid activities. During this time Saths spent nine years banned, house arrested and jailed, including over five years in Robben Island where he shared a cell block with Nelson Mandela.

While imprisoned, Cooper completed his undergraduate degree in psychology via a correspondence course with the University of South Africa. He served as President of the International Congress of Psychology which was held in 2012 in Cape Town, South Africa. At the Congress, Cooper was elected the first African President of the International Union of Psychological Science (IUPsyS), a kind of United Nations for 90 national psychology organizations and over 20 regional organizations.

Background Cooper was born in a rural area outside Durban, South Africa where his parents ran a local school. He grew up understanding and using multiple languages including Zulu, Tamil, Afrikaans, Xhosa, and English. Cooper became politically active in high school and continued to be politically active throughout college, which may have resulted in his expulsion from the University College, Salisbury Island, Durban as well as the South African government denying him a passport to attend university in Britain. Founding Secretary - Theatre Council of Natal (TECON) Founding Secretary - South African Black Theatre Union Co-Leader - 1972 national student boycott of the University of the North (with Steve Biko) Vice president, deputy, and president - Azanian People's Organization Founder - National Forum Founding trustee - Institute for Black Research President - South African/Azanian Student Movement, US Chair - Archbishop Tutu Scholarship Fund Co-Founder - Center for Health and Development, US Chair - Soweto Dance Theatre Company Chair - Operation Masakhane for the Homeless Participant - Alternate Dispute Resolution Association of South Africa Chair - South African Community Developmental Agency Chair - Conquest for Life Founding member - Goldstone Commission of Enquiry into Children's Rights Contributor - Robben Island Museum Contributor - Apartheid Museum Contributor - Nelson Mandela Gateway Founding publisher - Indigo (lifestyle magazine) Consult - Various radio and television programs Chair - Road Accident Fund Representative - IUPsyS

Honors Fellow of the International Science Council Fellow of the British Psychological Society (2014). Achievement Against The Odds Award from International Union of Psychological Science (2012). Medal for Services to International Psychology from International Union of Psychological Science (2008). Fellow of the Psychological Society of South Africa (2002). Fellow of the Irish Psychological Society.