Seatides Secondary rebounds after Tongaat tornado a year on

Class is back in session – and in style – as new classrooms mark a turning point for tornado-hit Seatides Secondary.

The Zimbali Estate Foundation officially handed over the freshly built classrooms last Friday, nearly a year after the devastating storm. The project, completed in partnership with the Cecil Renaud Trust and SAB Engineering Consulting (SABEC), also saw the planting of indigenous gardens across the school grounds, restoring not just facilities, but pride and hope within the school community.

With June 3 marking one year since the tornado wreaked havoc across Seatides and Tongaat, the school is now nearing full restoration.

Former principal Kola Govender expressed heartfelt gratitude to the many non-profit organisations and businesses that have played a role in rebuilding the school.

“We are happy to see the current state of our school. I would not wish what happened to us on any other community,” said Govender.

Pupils who were displaced to prefabricated classrooms on the school’s outdoor fields spoke about the challenges they faced.

Grade 11 pupil Roxanne Ramsamy said the new buildings carried a story of resilience and hope.

“We are filled with pride and gratitude to see the stunning classrooms. They represent what happens when people come together in the spirit of upliftment,” she said.

Zimbali Estate Foundation director Sujatha Boodhun said schools are important touchpoints for pupils and that they deserve quality education both inside and outside the classroom.

“We are pleased that educators and pupils will soon return to proper classrooms. The trauma of the tornado and the difficult months that followed will soon be behind them, allowing the school to continue producing excellent results,” said Boodhun.

The classroom now needs to be equipped with science laboratory equipment. The Zimbali Estate Foundation is appealing to anyone who may wish to sponsor or donate lab resources to support this initiative.

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