Prof Brij Maharaj was born in 1957 in Merebank, south Durban, Natal (now known as Kwazulu-Natal - KZN).  His father, Bhurma Maharaj, was a shop assistant at a grocery store on Prince Edward Street, in Durban’s Grey Street (now Dr Yusuf Dadoo) business district; his mother Sushiela Maharaj was a home executive. He completed his primary schooling at Merebank Primary and Alipore Road Primary.