1 – The Entrepreneurs
The school described in this plan was developed and is being administered by Zunaid and Zaheera Moolla.
1.1 – Zunaid Moolla
Zunaid Moolla is the chairman of the school board and will be responsible for the running and managing of the school as well as teaching. Zunaid has completed his Post Graduate Certificate in Education and is registered with the South African Council of Educators (SACE).
Zunaid has been the chairman of the school board since January 2007. During this time, he helped in the running of all aspects of the school from the financial and general administration to arranging school outings and meeting with parents. He also teaches several classes at the school:
Mathematics
Religious Studies
Natural Science
Economic and Management Sciences (EMS)
Social Science
Technology
Zunaid has a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Wits University and has worked in the IT industry for 9 years before going on to further his studies in the Islamic Sciences. Upon completion of his Islamic studies, Zunaid was an educator at the Jami’ah al-Ulum al-Islamiyyah (Jamiat – the organized body of Muslim religious leaders) in Johannesburg where he taught Arabic, Urdu, and Hadith (teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW)).
1.2 – Zaheera Moolla
Zaheera Moolla will act as deputy chairperson of the school board and will be responsible for managing various administrative aspects of the school as well as teaching some of the classes. Zaheera is currently studying for her Post Graduate Certificate in Education and is registered with the South African Council of Educators (SACE).
Zaheera has been the deputy chairman of the school board and an administrator and educator since its inception in January 2007. During this time, she helped in the running of all aspects of the school from general H.R. to general administration. She has teaches several classes at the school:
Afrikaans
Arabic
Natural science
Life orientation
Arts and culture
Zaheera is a qualified Pharmacist from Wits University and has practiced for a number of years in her field before going on to further her studies in the Islamic Sciences. Prior to her involvement with the Suffah Institute, Zaheera was an educator at Madrasatus Saalihaat where she taught Arabic, Urdu, and Hadith (teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW)).
2 – Staff
The school will be staffed by a principal and the requisite number and types of teachers to provide a quality and values-based Islamic education to registered scholars.
2.1 – Principal
The principal has already been identified as Zunaid Moolla.
2.2 – Teachers
Teachers are responsible for the core functions of the school, providing both education and moral instruction. To this end, they are sourced carefully to ensure that they meet acceptable standards in relation to the following criteria:
Bachelors of Education or equivalent from a reputable institution
At least some teaching experience
Preferably in a public school environment
Handling regular and extra-curricular activity
Solid references as to moral character
Demonstrable understanding of the moral principles of Islam
South African Council of Educators (SACE) registration is essential
3 – Trusted Advisors / Shura
The board also makes use of a group of trusted advisors who provide counsel on best practice.
3.1 – Current list of trusted advisors
Moulana Moosa Akoodie
Mr Akoodie qualified as a Muslim Theologian in 1974 and has taught both primary and high school children for over 30 years. Mr Akoodie is currently the Chairman of the Benoni Muslim Jamaat, a position which he is holding for the last 7 years. Mr Akoodie has spent the bulk of his life in education and in serving the community. He also dedicates much of his time in community work and acts as a councilor in his community. Mr Akoodie travels throughout the country on lecture tours where he imparts invaluable advices on life to attentive audiences. In summary Mr Akoodie has spent and is still spending his life in the service of his community and the general community at large.
Mr Ebrahim Seedat
Mr Seedat has spent a lifetime in education. Having first been involved in the previous ‘House of Delegates’, Mr Seedat served as a teacher, inspector and also principal.
He is currently the principal of the Azaadville Muslim School (AMS) and is also actively involved with the Gauteng Department of Education. He lectured at teacher training colleges and he also conducts workshops on behalf of the Jamiat (Council of Muslim Theologians) and AMS (Association of Muslim Schools).
He also serves on the moderation panel of Umalusi.
Mr Abram Ali
Mr Ali has a National Diploma in Electrical Engineering and is currently a member of the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers and also the Engineering Council of South Africa. After Qualifying, Mr Ali worked for Siemens for 5 years as a Senior Technical Engineer, worked for De Beers for 7 years as a Junior Design Engineer. Therafter Mr Ali started his own security company called Frankstreet Trading of which he is the Director. Mr Ali has numerous employees working under his direct supervision from the sales to the technical departments, including a training department.
Mr Shabbir A. I. Kadwa
Mr Kadwa matriculated in 1968 from SE Oswalds High School in Newcastle. He obtained his Honours BCompt from the University of South Africa and completed the Board examination of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants in 1980.
He commenced his article ship with SA Mc Dowall & Co which became part of Deloittes. He then worked at Deloittes for almost 11 years. He is currently in public practice as a partner in Mia Kadwa & Co since 1986.