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For years, learning at Thandokwethu Primary School in Dududu, KwaZulu-Natal, took place under extremely difficult conditions.
Classrooms were unsafe and deteriorating. Holes in the walls and floors exposed learners to the elements, while damaged roofing allowed rain to pour into classrooms. The presence of asbestos created additional health concerns, and both teachers and students were forced to navigate their school day without access to clean water or proper sanitation facilities.
Despite these challenges, the school community continued to persevere. Teachers remained committed to their learners, and children arrived each day eager to learn, even in an environment that made education far more difficult than it should be.
In 2022, Nikaya Shaikh, a concerned teacher, reached out to Islamic Relief South Africa for assistance. A visit to the school revealed the full extent of the challenges the community had been facing for many years.
Through a partnership with Islamic Relief Canada, a plan was developed to restore the school and create a safer, more supportive environment for learning.
The transformation began with the rehabilitation of the classrooms. Damaged roofs were replaced, floors were repaired, and the overall safety of the school was improved with the installation of fencing and the creation of a play area where learners could safely spend their break times.
Access to clean water and sanitation was also prioritised. New water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities were installed, including a borehole that now provides a sustainable source of clean water. This vital resource benefits not only the school but also the surrounding Dududu community, supporting approximately 2,000 people.
As the physical environment improved, so too did the opportunities available to learners.
On 22 May 2025, a new library was officially opened at the school. The library was named in memory of the late Khalid Sayed, a beloved member of the Islamic Relief South Africa team whose dedication and service left a lasting impact on those around him. The space now stands as both a centre for learning and a tribute to his legacy.
For many learners, the library represents their first access to a dedicated space for reading, studying, and discovering new ideas.
Reflecting on the transformation, Thandokwethu Primary School principal, Mrs Zulu, described the conditions the school once faced:
“There were holes in the roof, the rain would come in, and children couldn’t come to school, goats would come and sleep in the open classes. We didn’t even have doors in the classrooms; we used to use an old chalkboard to close off the doorway.
Now we have a space for the kids to learn well. We are probably the only school in an area like this that has proper roofing and ceramic tiles, and that has a library. This is unheard of in communities like ours. We never thought this would be possible. We can’t thank Islamic Relief enough.”
Today, Thandokwethu Primary School stands as a renewed space of learning and opportunity, where learners can study in safety and dignity while the wider Dududu community also benefits from improved access to water and essential facilities.