DANNHAUSER KZN: School pays tribute to much-loved siblings

A sweet little girl, living her fairytale in her dreams, riding the crest of a rainbow on a magical unicorn… That’s how Rabia Badshah will always be remembered.

Rabia, a Grade 3 teacher at Dannhauser Secondary School, tragically passed away in a car accident earlier this month, along with her brother Zameer and her husband Abdul.

Zameer was a learner at the school and was in Grade 11 this year – a double tragedy for Dannhauser Secondary.
The school held a special memorial service for the siblings last week at the Dannhauser Community Hall.
The memorial service celebrated the lives of two incredible individuals who touched so many hearts during their time here on earth.

Their father Dawood, who spoke at the memorial, described how blessed he was, because his children were truly angels.

Touching tributes were also paid to Rabia and Zameer by learners and teachers alike. In addition, teachers, and learners from Rabia’s class, performed a touching rendition of ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’.

Fellow Grade 11 learner Joslynne Olifand spoke about Zameer, describing him as an amazing person who played a unique and special role in all their lives.

“How does anyone express the amazing essence and spirit of Zameer Badshah? His selfless generosity, uncompromising belief in all that is good, and his unwavering commitment to family and friends,” Joslynne said.

She added that not even the very best words could pay tribute or truly capture the sense of loss that everyone was feeling. She urged those gathered to learn from Zameer’s exemplifying life, love, laughter, and irrepressible belief and faith in seeing the best in everything, even loss.

More heart-wrenching moments followed when a card, created by Grade 4 learner Yoliswa Ndlanzi, was read out and Foundation Phase HOD Mrs L Naidoo delivered her speech. Yoliswa, who was a former learner of Rabia’s, spoke about the lasting impact her teacher left in her life.

“Good people make an exit from this planet faster. I lack words to express my grief over the passing of a phenomenal teacher. She touched lives without leaving space for doubt in our hearts. I will remain grateful to God for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Miss R Badshah. I wouldn’t have been able to fathom the incredible loss her death has brought. You will always be in my heart.
May your soul rest in peace.”

Mrs Naidoo’s speech tugged at the heart-strings as she spoke about the type of person Rabia was.

“As a teacher, she was a perfectionist who raised the bar very high and berated herself if she was flawed in any way. Her love for her learners was unconditionally child-like.
“As a colleague, she was a team player, 100% eagerness with a ‘never say no’ attitude.
“As a friend, we shared burdened wet shoulders. Rabia was a softie whose eyes would well up before you were halfway through. She would also take time to be part of our families.
“As the youngest teacher in our phase, she became a sister and a daughter. She was our Rabie baby or Rabsie.”

Mrs Naidoo also touched on how happy Rabia had been recently, as she had just gotten married.

“She was the happiest she had ever been. She was living her fairytale, riding her rainbow with her knight in shining armour. This is how we choose to remember you, Rabie baby. Continue riding your rainbow till we meet again. Until then, we will continue to love and miss you.”

The Northern Natal Courier extends its condolences to the family on their tragic loss.