Jubilee hall opened at 90-year-old Upper Tongaat School

It was a day of jubilation at Isnembe Secondary School when the doors of the long-awaited multi-purpose centre were opened last Thursday.

The school had been fundraising for the centre since early last year as part of their 90th anniversary celebrations.

Deputy principal Kavita Rajaram thanked all their sponsors and said it was a dream come true for both teachers and parents.

“The project was conceived 11 years ago, but gained momentum in the past year with the celebration of our 90th anniversary.

“The principal, school governing body, staff and pupils remain indebted to one and all who contributed in cash or kind towards the achievement of this monumental feat,” said Rajaram.

The Upper Tongaat school will use the hall for indoor games and examinations, as well as basic adult education classes and workshops.

The school is a rural mainstream school which serves 586 pupils.

It was founded in 1928 by indentured labourers who worked on the sugar plantations.

SAMCT’s social responsibility officer, Rasheeda Motala, said the school has an exceptional academic record and been the beneficiary of numerous accolades in spite of crippling financial constraints and grossly inadequate infrastructure.

Sponsorship for the multi-purpose centre included a R500 000 donation by the South African Muslim Charitable Trust (SAMCT) and further support by several sponsors, including the Divine Life Society, Corobrik and Metier Mixed Concrete.