Laudium principal dies in his sleep
Iqbal Areef (67) of the Tshwane Muslim School died in his sleep on Thursday after serving 26 years at the school.
Condolences continue to pour in following the death of a Laudium school principal.
Iqbal Areef (67) of the Tshwane Muslim School died in his sleep on Thursday after serving 26 years at the school.
Deputy principal of the school, Ms Apa Waheeda, described Areef as a great leader who contributed a lot to his school.
“Mr Areef was a great principal who got along with his students. I would even be angry at him for being too soft,” Waheeda said.
“He was a person who stood by his word and made everyone happy, including the parents whenever they visited the school.”
Waheeda said the day before Areef’s death she spent four hours with him and he was fine and happy as usual.
“On Wednesday we were speaking about the Covid-19 situation that is being faced around the country, sharing jokes, everything was normal,” said Wahida.
Chaiperson of the school governing body, Eric Dockrat, said Areef’s death came as a shock to him as he never received any news about him being sick.
Dockrat said Areef’s contribution to the school would never go unrecognised.
Mahdi Rahman, one of the learners, described Areef as an ongoing inspiration for all the teachers.
“I spent hours in his office because he would address us with so much care and respect,” he said.
“He was always motivating us to do our best, to behave and to reach for the stars.
“He would greet me by name and he was always telling us about how the and the teachers will always be there for us, so it is truly sad to have to say goodbye to a man of such great character,” Rahman said.
Areef leaves his wife, two sons, one daughter and four grandchildren.
A message from four Grade 12 learners, Zahrah Aboo, Aqeelah Osman, Zahra Kajee and Mishkah Essop read:
“Our role model, our mentor, our principal, Mr Areef.
“The heart and soul of our school. A principal who was dedicated to making the lives of his students and teachers better, alleviating their burdens in any possible way.
“A principal whose door was always open to one and all. A principal who never hesitated to guide & assist. A principal who took on every task with grace and dignity.
“Today we all have suffered a grave loss as Allah has called you back home.
“As we think back to our beautiful memories we shared with you, the Friday you treated the matric class to tea and cake, you sacrificed your glass of coke for a cup of tea with us, how grateful we are. Your signature speech at Hifz graduation that made every Haafidh and Haafidhah’s day, our Wednesday assemblies were incomplete until we heard “Assalamualaikum” from you, then we knew we were at home and of course the small chats we shared in the corridors of our school between classes.
“You have touched the lives of so many and your wise words will resonate with us forever.
“TMS will never be the same without you, you will be missed beyond measure.
“However we have solace that you are in a better place. We make dua that the Almighty blesses you with the highest stages of Jannah, fills your Qabr with the brightest noor, reunites you and your family in our final abode, Jannah. May Allah grant your family and the students and teachers strength and sabrun Jameel to manage this difficult loss. امين
“Feamanillah our beloved principal.
“Until we meet again.”
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