Muhammadeyah Primary School celebrated its 95th anniversary at a gala eat and treat, at Country Manor, in Schaapkraal, on Saturday August 31.
Historian Mogamat Kamedien outlined the history of the Wynberg school, which was established in 1929.
The school was founded by the Moslem Education Trust who appointed the first school principal, Hadjie Mohammed Saleh Berdien.
“Mr Berdien, apart from being the founding school principal, was a leading community leadership figure who held numerous key positions such as the secretary of the Yusufeyah Mosque, in Wynberg. Likewise, the current school principal, Ebrahim Abrahams.”
Mr Abrahams wears many hats. “Apart from being a respected professional educationist, similarly is a community leader who occupies several portfolio positions in a wide range of community bodies such as being the former District Commissioner of Scouting in the Constantiaberg District; current vice-chairman of the Cape Muslim Vigilance Association, member of the Community Police Forum and former vice-chairman of Wynberg East Civic Association; former exco member of the Beit Ul Aman Old Age Home for the Aged, etc,” said Mr Kamedien.
He said many Wynberg residents hold fond memories of this historic, community school.
Mr Berdien started off with 11 pupils in two classrooms and the school now has 763 pupils.
Mr Abrahams, who started at the school in April 2019, has five predecessors, Mr Berdien, Ismail Solomon, Rashard Jedaar, Sedick Gamiet, Ebrahim Ismail, as well as acting principal Shahied Salie.
Mr Kamedien said: “Mr Abrahams is ably assisted by his deputy principal, Igshaan Isaacs who is also the president of the MC squared Cycling Club.”
The school hall serves as a community meeting place for many community organisations including the Wynberg East Civic Association (WECA); Wynberg Community Police Forum; Wynberg East Neighbourhood Watch (WENW); The Wynberg Concerned Citizens, the Marines Malay Choir, the Cape Flats genealogy NPO, the Cape Family Research Forum (CFRF); Saturday madrassah; and extra-mural maths tutoring classes.
Muhammadeyah Primary has a dedicated alumni membership. “Many former learners are highly respected and renowned professionals locally as well as across the globe and hold prominent positions in a variety of careers. A selection list of notable alumni are the late Abass Cloete; Dr Omar Esau; Shaykh Ismail Gqumane; Imaam Omar Slamang; Ridwaan and Layla Barron; Seraak Jacobs; Dr Suroor Solomon and Nisaar Lillah.
“One alumni group led by Muallima Qanitah Moos met recently to raise much needed funds to upgrade facilities at the school. Other Alumni groups are encouraged to do the same,” said Mr Kamedien.
The school offers various excursions. “In September this year 60 members of the school community will embark on a 95th anniversary Umrah and tour; Some members of the group will travel to Turkey before performing Umrah.”
The school calendar attends to the religious ethos of the pupil population.
There are annual moulood celebrations; mass boeka/iftars; mass thikrs; tiende Muharram Day celebrations, akhni day, annual graduations, and orientation in preparation for Eid celebrations, said Mr Kamedien.
Principal Ebrahim Abrahams thanked everyone who had been involved in hosting the event on Saturday.
“Your kind support was instrumental in making this event a successful and certainly a memorable celebration. Your generosity has touched our hearts and made a significant difference to our school. On behalf of the Muhammadeyah staff, SGB, and education trust, we wish to thank you for your efforts and support.”
Maahier Karriem, chairman of the SGB, and former pupil, said: “As the chairman I call upon all former students and business owners to come forward as we seek sponsors for various projects to further develop the school so that we can continue for another 95 years.”
Yasmina Hattas, vice-chairperson of the SGB, also a former pupil, said: “The 95th anniversary eat and treat seemed to have been a great success. The evening had a great ambiance and even served as a reunion for many that attended the evening. The performances from the boys’ and girls’ nasheed groups were merely a glimpse of what the school has to offer, what an outstanding performance.”
