Habibia Primary Tribute Journal

tribute journal 1st Edition

We pay tribute to a Soccer legend Ever wondered what Mrs. M thought of you?

Find out now!

Osman buries treasure and Mahmood is a Kiwi Read the latest on your class-mates

The clash of the 80’s & how we embraced the 90’s

Index

Foreword by Mrs. Marthinus .........................................

Short history on Habibia Primary ...................................

Where you at? .................................................................

Marking the Register .........................................................

Fondest Memories .............................................................

Remembering Amanullah ...................................................

The 80’s meets the 90’s ..................................................

Elgin Apple Farm Excursion - 1990

PG 3 PG 4 PG 8 PG 6 PG 7 PG 18 PG 20

Foreword Mrs. Sameera Marthinus The Year: 1989. The Place: Habibia Kokanie Moslem Primary. Say that name fast. Its a tongue twister. I was tall and proud to be part of a Muslim institution for my practice teaching. This would be the beginning of a fond relationship with a school that would launch my teaching career, mould me, mature me and become part of my makeup.

I loved walking the gleaming corridors smelling of Cobra polish. Click clock went the heels of my Lady Di court shoes as I went from class to class to teach the model lessons and be evaluated by the teachers of Habibia Primary and the lecturers of Hewat College of Education.

A young Mr Desai was instructed to guide us and demonstrate lessons to us. He was the English teacher and certainly one of note. We watched in admiration as he took tedious English lessons and turned them into fun, creative ones. He was loved by his pupils and made us as student teachers feel so comfortable always cracking a joke to ease our nervousness around the Hierarchy.

When offered a teaching post by the then principal, Mr Toefy, I accepted. I was to substitute for Mrs Ahmed while she was on Maternity leave. My meetings with Mr Toefy prior to my appointment had me on the edge of my seat as he taught me practically how to do the register. The quest for zero defect. The ticks in the register had to be at a 45 degree angle and Mrs Kariel’s books were always used as the example.

Mr Toefy had equipped me well and this would stand me in such good stead for the future.

He had nurtured a skill which many new teachers today are not as lucky to receive. He had instilled in me the quality of seeking excellence in everything you do. An Islamic Creed at that !!

Mrs Marthinus December 2014 And with these words we open the tribute journal which you contributed to and we take you back to a place long ago but certainly not forgotten.

Going Back to our roots

Short history on Habibia Primary School A History on Habibia Primary School

Habibia Primary School - Present Day

Moulood - 1989

Short history on Habibia Primary School Primary School is the foundation of our education. It’s where our schooling journey started and it’s the place where we acquired life skills we are still using today. Have you wondered how Habibia Primary School came about?

Nestled in the heart of Rylands, in Johnston Road lies Habibia Kokani Primary School. The school is an integral part of the suburb and has been since 1946. Owing to this the school has an illustrious history and heritage.

At the beginning of the twentieth century the only beacon of Islam in “Doornhoogte” as the undeveloped area was then known, was the Habibia Soofie Saheb Masjid, built on land purchased in 1902 by Hazrath Goolam Muhammad (R.A.) affectionately known as Hazrath Sufi Sahib (R.A.). This great visionary inspired others who later settled in the vicinity of the Mosque. In 1941 a band of concerned Muslims led by the late E.A. “Balu” Parker purchased some land adjacent to the mosque for the purpose of building a school to cater for the education of their children. Some of the pioneers who served on the School Committee at that time were E.A. Parker (President), A.G. Dalvie, A. Desai, D.M. Harneker, A. Khalfe, I. Khalfe, M. Khan, R. Khan, S.M. Mukuddem, D.A. Parker, H.E. Parker (Secretary), J.B. Parker, S. Parker (Treasurer) and A.K. Royker. After several fund-raising drives throughout the country, building operations commenced and later the foundation stone of Habibia Kokanie Educational Institute was laid by the Honourable Major G. B. Van Zyl, Administrator of the Cape Province, on 3 July 1943.

The double-story school building built by Julius Cohen Construction Co. was completed two and a half years later and opened its doors to the first pupils on 21 January 1946. The original staff of six teachers consisted of Mr. M. H. Allie (Principal), Mr. I. Adams, Mr. E. Albertus, Mr. A. Hayat, Mrs. N. Conrad, and Mrs. R. Domingo. The caretaker was Mr. E. Aziz, popularly known as “Boeta Hiema” The first pupil enrolled was Abdul Karriem Salie. At the end of the first quarter in 1946, the school had an enrollment of 307 boys and 158 girls – a total of 465 pupils which led to an increased staff of twelve teachers. Since there were very few houses in the area at that time. The School Committee had to provide its own transport to bring children from the outlying areas to the school. A school bus was purchased for this purpose. At the end of the Second World War (1939 – 1945) when redundant military trucks became available to the public, four of these vehicles were also purchased by the School Committee to augment the school bus in transporting the pupils. By that time pupils were being transported from as far afield as Kalk Bay and Simon’s Town to the school. The other children walked across the field from Gleemoor and Sunnyside. Later Golden Arrow Bus

Service provided three buses to transport pupils from Mowbray and Elsies River. The ringing of the school bell in the mornings was very often determined by the arrival of the buses!

As the area around the school developed, a regular bus service was eventually introduced.

The school provided a curriculum of secular and religious subjects from Sub-Std A. (Grade 1) to Std. 6 (Grade 8). In 1947 five teachers were appointed by the School Committee to conduct Urdu classes for the pupils of Urdu-speaking parents as it was felt that they would gain a better understanding of Islam through their parental language. Apart from teaching Urdu, these teachers also taught Islamic Studies to the various classes. These five teachers were Professor A.B. Daderker, E.A. Kazi, Gulzar Khan, I. Khan, and A. Parker.

Mention must be made of Miss G. Ahmed who assisted some of the Urdu teachers with the teaching in the secondary section of the school. Dr. A. Mohamed, the well known surgeon was one of the first J.C. students to leave the school.

Habibia Primary School foyer After a few years Professor A.B. Daderker returned to India. The work done by the first school principal, Mr. M. H. Allie, and his staff, put Habibia on the map. The school’s enrolment increased and soon it became necessary to extend the school building. In 1956 a third floor was built which provided five additional classrooms, an art room, audio-visual room, library and printing room. By then the staff had increased to 18 teachers and there were 684 pupils. Several of the past pupils have become prominent surgeons, professors, lecturers, doctors, lawyers, teachers, Islamic scholars, artisans and successful businessmen. Many have emigrated to Britain, the United States, Canada, India, Pakistan, Australia, etc.

Sadly, in 2003, during renovations to the school, the hall’s roof collapsed, rendering it unsafe to be used by learners. In 2005, plans were approved to add six classrooms, a science and technology lab and a rebuilt school hall to the school premises, with the kind assistance of the Trustee Committee and the Governing Body. Building work soon began and it is hoped that the renovations will be completed in mid 2006. Currently the school’s vision is to develop people holistically as progressive leaders concentrating on their spiritual and intellectual enhancement. The institution should be a centre of excellence creating an environment for the promotion of Islamic Values.

(Information sourced from Habibia Primary school website and Living Islam website)

WHERE YOU AT?

The most exciting part of this reunion is catching up with everyone. There are days where I can remember quite clearly our first day at Habibia Primary in Miss Regal’s class. Shy, awkward and out of place are words which best describe that day. I recall that she had this wooden stand on which she had a thick wad of newsprint. In her exceptionally neat handwriting she would painstakingly write out our daily up down or bunny hop patterns or rows and rows of the alphabet. All this would be done with a huge thick black wax crayon. Soon the months turned into years and we found ourselves climbing up the ranks and before we knew it we were the Seniors of Habibia. How important we must have felt. And then we bid farewell as we closed that chapter of our lives and moved on to high school, university, college etc. I asked everyone to tell us a bit of their lives currently and this is what they said Dilshaad Rajie: The years have treated Dilshaad well. “ After finishing Matric at Abbotts, I went to UWC for two years and left as it wasn’t what I wanted to do. I was at home for 6 months and eventually did a diploma course in travel and tourism.

Thereafter I worked at a department store and married a few months later in January 2000.

I continues working there for a while and then worked with my husband for a year.

My first son was born on Christmas day 2002. Ive been a full time stay at home mum since then and had another two boys. My boys are age 4,7 and 12.”

Dilshaad Rajie

WHERE YOU AT?

Naushad Ebrahim: Joined up with us much later but has fond memories of his years at Habibia Primary School.

“I am a qualified cellular technician and currently own a cellular repair hub at Old Mutual, Pinelands called “Cellular Trendz”. I specialise in advanced repairs of all mobile handsets, tablets and Ipads.

Alhamdulillah I am married for 12 years to Amina (who is originally from Pretoria). I have been blessed by The Almighty with two Masha Allah; sons Uzayr (9yrs) and Amaan (6yrs) and a beautiful daughter Zahra (7 months).

Naushad Ebrahim and his family

Hasanain and his wife Salma

Hasanain Abdullah: Hasanain has gone from doodling in class to running (excuse the pun) his own marketing business.

“I am happily married to my wife Salma for 6 years now. We share many interests and take a keen interest in a healthy lifestyle.

I am an avid runner, I enjoy spending time in the mountains and in nature.

I run a business offering my marketing expertise, my focus lies in Online: Web, Social Media, and Offline: Shopfront branding.

WHERE YOU AT?

Fatima Bheekoo-Shah: “After nine months of marriage I found myself living in Johannesburg a place I I did not have any affinity to. Truth be told this “city without soul” as I call it has grown on me. Besides the bad and there is definitely a bad side, I love the diversity and culture and the drive which most people have here. After an unfortunate incident I decided to change my career path from teaching to writing. I wish I had done this a long time ago but I don’t believe in regrets.

Have been married for 13 years Alhumdulillah and while my husband is my fiercest critic of my work he is also my most loyal fan and best friend. I have 2 children; Ijaaz and Quraisha and motherhood keeps me so busy with their antics but my world is a better place with them in it. Most people who know me describe me as the eternal hippie as I am obsessed with an alternate lifestyle. From growing our own veg, making fermented foods and coconut flour sugar free cupcakes. I try my utmost to live in harmony with my environment.

We hope to move back to Cape Town especially for our parent’s sake but only Allah knows if that will happen so I spend my day filling blank pages with word counts and maybe one day I will get down to writing that book.”

Fatima Bheekoo-Shah

WHERE YOU AT?

Mahmood Dalwai: Our former classmate is now a Kiwi citizen! “ My family and I moved to New Zealand about 6.5 years ago. We received our citizenship earlier this year, so we are now officially Kiwis. Life is great here, we really love it but miss the family heaps and the familiar sights and sounds (including the accent, which sounds foreign to us now). I am an accountant at an electricity company which is similar to Eskom except that we don’t have regular power cuts and skyrocketing price increases LOL! Cape Town will always be home to me and we try our best to go back home when we are able to. My parents are coming to visit for the first time at the end of December so we are really looking forward to that.

Mahmood Dalwai and his son

Osman Jaffer and his family

Osman Jaffer: From hiding treasures on the Habibia field to Systems Administrator at Vodocam “I am currently a Reporting and Systems Administrator at Vodacom. I completed my studies in 1999 and started out my career as a call centre consultant at Ndizani. Thereafter I worked at Telkom for 3 years and eventually landed my permanent position at Vodacom in 2004.

I’m married to Rukshana and I have 2 kids, Sajjaad (4) and Sadiyah (2).

There was a time when myself and Ighsaan were quite close. But all I remember about him is that we decided to hide things away so we could collect it when we are big. We’ve hidden our favourite toys and a few items which I can’t quite recall. We buried these items on the Habibia field. So I’m sure we’re both big now (I should say older), but there’s no collecting those items. Lesson learnt... when hiding things, make sure you remember where you hid it, and try not using a public place! Or maybe it was his way of taking all my toys after I buried it! :-)

WHERE YOU AT?

Faghmie Solomon: While Faghmie was often teased for being the smallest in class he has definitely gone on to “bigger” things.

“I studied Businesses Administration, worked in Retail for a while then I got into Cellular and I’m currently an area manager for a national prepaid service provider. Been married for 11 yrs now and I have 2 beautiful daughters, Nuhad (9) and Almaaz (5).”

Mariam Hendricks: Mariam still has nightmares of needlework class, but now handles Public Relations at a Finance firm which does not require a doing blanket stitch.

Nasreen Hoosain: When Nasreen is not cooking and baking, she gives hope to many with her work in Occupational Therapy “After school I went to UWC and completed my degree in Occupational Therapy.

I always enjoyed working with people and this gave me the opportunity to interact and support people at the same time. I am currently in Private Practice at Mediclinic Cape Town. I work in Psychiatry, dealing with patients suffering from Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar, etc. It took hard work, perseverance, creativity, self-confidence and determination to build a practice from nothing to running a full ward programme.

I have to acknowledge that what contributed to my obtaining a degree was our initial exposure to education. If our early learning experience was a negative one it might have diminished our motivation to strive for more. In my Practice I realised how fragile a child’s self esteem is and how a negative schooling experience can damage a person. I am grateful for the positive experience I have had with a special thanks to certain teachers that made it more special. Thanks Mrs. M I can also confidently say that whatever I have in life is what I have worked hard for myself after my parents contributed to my education.

In life, nothing is enjoyable unless shared with loved ones. I have a loving family, and my special miracle is my gift from God, my 2 year old son. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I enjoy cooking and baking for them too.’’

WHERE YOU AT?

Faghmie Solomon and his family

Nasreen Hoosain and her son

Mrs. Mullajee, Mrs. Manuel and Mrs. Amardien

Marking the Register “Mrs. Marthinus gives us an inside view of what she saw from the other side of the teacher’s table.”

My first classroom was a tiny room which had served as the music room. Musical notes and staves on dusty wall charts adorned the walls. The room could only fit 15 desks so I had 29 learners. Bright eyed and bushy tailed I started my teaching career of class 4C Lining up in front of the school meant from smallest to tallest so Faghmie Solomon and Riehana Dhansay, the smallest learners in my class, had the unenviable position of standing right in front. They would find themselves in this position for two years. They also sat right in front. Riehana and Faghmie would always be paired off. I remember Riehana living in Raft Rd near to the school and always running there to fetch something we needed.

Right at the back was Ashraf Abbas and Rehana Royker. Ashraf, the tallest and kindest young man would become the protector of all. By far the gentlest giant. Rehana, an exceptionally bright student, topped the leaderboard alongside Osman Jaffer and it came as little surprise to me to find out only recently that she has become doctor. Did’nt Osman Jaffer own the corner shop? I am almost certain they did. I remember bread being delivered there every morning. Mubin Banderker too occupied the back rows. A quiet boy with piercing blue, or was it green eyes? A generous boy is what I remember of him.

Marking the Register

The Habibia Girls’ School Tuckshop, our neighbour, sold the most delicious chip-rolls and if not caught, we could easily slip through the back gate. That makes me think of Dilshaad Rajie who always had money to buy when we sent the kids off to secretly buy them.

The Annual Moulood meant chanting at the top of your lungs in the corridor for hours with Mrs Samaai. The difficult one was the Urdu one....all I remember is Rehmaatul aalamee Shaahe dunyaa wadee jiknee maa naa He ke pyaare hoh shaahe Madina.

“Moulood also meant decorating the classes and the most delicious steaming akhni in plastic bowls. Yummy.”

The ones who kept the class alive with banter was Mariam Hendricks, a tall blonde haired young lady whose hair was tied to the back. Mariam could speak about almost anything.

Meet Rachmah Adams the giggler and Mariam’s sidekick. Nasreen Hoosain also in the first 2 desks was Riehana’s other half. They were often inseparable.

Meet the guys: Ridaa, Hasanain, Nadeem, Naushaad and Amanullah ,the ones who would always “engage” the teacher. I remember Nadeem’s eyes crinkling up when he laughs and Hasanain’s mischievious smile. For some odd reason I always remember Amanullah’s pants as being too big for him and with a huge hem. Riefaat Said was the model and was always flicking his hair out of his face. He shared a friendship with Achmad Joseph, I think because they both were from Surrey Estate.

Then there were boys who were not the talkers but I remember their faces so vividly.

Akhtar, who possessed a shy and sweet smile.

Marking the Register

Najmirah I too visited as a pupil.Cannot remember why. Somewhere near Wembley meat Market. Her parents had a gas place in Thornton Road I think.

The ones who are silent in class may not always ride the waves but they are the calm in the ocean like my Najmirah and Hasiena.They flanked the class, my Atlantic and my Indian oceans.

At the end of 1990 I got married. I received several gifts and one particular gift I remember very well b12 Cristal D’ arque glasses from Rachmah Adams.

I don’t think one ever forgets the first class you teach especially if you teach them again the following year like I did. With Mrs Samaai on Maternity leave i had the 5C class again. A relationship of two years. I left on maternity leave in June of 1991.

A surprise awaited me the day I left. The 5c learners had all plotted and secretly planned a party as a send-off. A sad goodbye especially for my teacher’s pet, yes I did have a favourite, sorry...Mahmood Dalwai was the shy little man who captured my heart...did not want to take a picture but was always photobombing with bunny ears.

I returned a year later but my sweethearts had left. I would often think about them, where they had gone and tried unsuccessfully to make contact.

I kept my classlist for 20 years in the hope of rekindling that special relationship.I knew them alphabetically and remembered names and surnames bar a few. Till today. Finally a dream comes true.

Remembering Amaanullah Eleven years ago some of us heard the tragic news that Amaanullah who was completing his internship was involved in accident which took his life. May Allah give him a high place in Jannah and ease the pain felt by his parents, family and friends he left behind Ameen.

Amanullah Camroodien 1978 - 2003 “Today as his former classmates we pay tribute to and remember Amaanullah.“

ROSARY OF TIME The tiny masters we encounter will fill our hearts with the eternal message Life is Large And Hope is eternal Take Rest. Reflect Every breath is a bead linked on the rosary of time.

By Shafinaaz Hassim

What they had to say about Amanullah Mahmood: Amanullah was actually a cousin of mine but we also attended the same high school and were in the same class right through high school except for matric. But we were together again at University. So his passing was difficult for me but more so for his family, especially his mom who took it very hard. All I ask is if people can make dua for him would be great.

Amanullah’s Soccer Trophies Hasanain: He was a soccer sporting legend, He had very swift dribbling skills and scored many triumphant goals. I have many sweet childhood memories of him and I miss him till today. Where ever he is, I know that he is smiling down on us.

May Allah bless him and his family. Ameen Naushad: Amanullah will be remembered for his exceptional soccer skills that he displayed.

Osman: Amanullah was there for all of Primary school. We were quite close, considering that our parents were friends. If I have to think of this, I’ll be able to share so many moments of him. But for now, the first thing that comes to mind... He was the one that told me... very convincingly I must add... “if you put your eyelash on your finger, you can blow it away and make a wish. If you see it after blowing it, your wish will not come true. It works for me.” How could he have told me that?! I had soo many wishes, I ended up pulling out some of my eyelashes.

But overall, Amanullah was a good friend. He was a kind-hearted, caring person by nature and will always be missed.

The 80’s meets the 90’s

Who doesn’t like nostalgia? It’s, like, totally tubular. The ‘80s: The Decade That Made Us isn’t about nostalgia; it’s about the history of our modern world that spawned political, technological, cultural, and social revolutions that began in the United States and went on to dominate the world. we also lived in an era in which interesting political changes took place in our country.

This cultural programming event is the defining biography of a generation. It’s about a decade of people, decisions, and inventions that changed our future, told from the perspective of the unknowing history makers who lived these iconic moments. We worked out, worked harder, played harder and consumed more—because the 1980s was the decade when we went forward to the future.

And while our kids will never know cassette tapes, walkmans and that The Hoff was the most famous guy on Television. Many of you felt that they are missing out on so much by being absorbed in their tablets and TV games. Hasanain says “ We played more outdoor games like Hide and seek because of security concerns today, children spend endless hours in front of these playstations and TV” While that is the sad reality of today I think we are seeing a resurgence of a minimalistic lifestyle. From trends in birthing moving to less interventions to us trying to eat as natural and organic as possible.

And while communicating is faster Nasreen says “ nothing beats a group of people getting together and chatting over coffee.” I agree wholeheartedly but I love technology as it makes our lives so much easier.

But we all agree is that we want for next generation is what we had. Mahmood says, “The one thing I really wished for when I was still in SA was for my kids to have been able to have the same freedom that I had where we could just spend the day out with friends without being worried about who is around the next corner. There is no freedom anymore (or at least that is my view, others might differ). Technology wise, I think that its a good thing, and bad, if you can’t control it that is. Life generally just seems so much more faster now than it did in the ‘olden’ days.”

So we leave you with pics which celebrate our past and of gadgets that makes our lives so much easier now. As Osman so aptly puts it “What I miss about those days... He-Man... and the masters of the universe! (said that in tune!). That was the best. And MacGuyver of course! Then there’s the Atari! This was the PS3 of the 80’s!

80’s Highlights

Stop Struggling Stop Struggling. Go for it Keep your heart and head and senses open to renewal all the time.

Make notes. Keep Learning.

Again. Stop Struggling.

Surrender. But not like an inanimate flat object floating in the water.

Engaged surrender. Know why you’re doing it.

Because in that moment when you find stillness, and the mind stops chattering non-stop about how things happen to you and its all so tough and rough, find stillness and listen.

Life is always waiting to tell you something unique, a message that’s meant just for you.

By Shafinaaz Hassim in Soul seeds for Shade and Solitude

Photo Highlights

The End