He was an executive member of the M. L. Sultan Technical College, the Orient Islamic Educational Institute, and the Indian Centenary Scholarship Trust, Treasurer to the Indian Education Council and Vice-Chairperson of the Van Leer Learning Centre.Rajab was also involved with religious, welfare and recreational institutions. He was Chairperson of the May Street Mosque Committee and of the Orient Club, a trustee of the Darul Yatama wal Masakeen, and a member of the R.K. Khan Hospital Board. He also served as an executive member of the Durban Welfare Society, the Durban Indian Benevolent Society and the Durban Indian Boy Scouts Association. In 1972 Rajab visited Britain as a guest of the British government which had recognized him as a leader of the Indian community in South Africa. Habib Rajab was also well known for having possessed the biggest collection of Oriental art in South Africa. Because of his interest in art, he was appointed Chairperson of the Durban Art Gallery Association. His collection, obtained largely during his travels to many parts of the world, included Sung, Ming and later Chinese porcelain, eighteenth century Japanese porcelain. Oriental carpets and rugs, ceramics, furniture and works of art. Rajab died in Durban on 7 October 1973 at the age of 58 years and was survived by his wife Hanifa, a daughter and four sons. He was buried in the Brooke Street Cemetery and his funeral was attended by over 5 000 people.

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