Ms Miriam Ismail passed away on July 5, 2021, aged 86. She was one of a kind; a silent Mother Theresa of Laudium, a rare personality whose value was not celebrated in life nor adequately recognised.
By profession an educationist, by instinct, a humanitarian; she helped all and sundry. Guided by the latter quality, she silently served those who needed help: colleagues, friends, acquaintances, sisters and particularly members of her extended family, the needy and disadvantaged who crossed her path. She helped not only those in the community of Laudium, but she also helped others elsewhere, regardless of age, gender, and race or standing. She participated in the government-sponsored lemon-tree project in the North of Pretoria, assisted the Indian Ambassador to South Africa with their Golden Jubilee Celebrations. Driven by this powerful and intense need to be involved and help, she quietly devoted herself and her life to the service of others. Only a devastating stroke, about six years ago could come between her and her dedication to others. The stroke confined her to her home for about six years after which she was struck by the current Third Wave of Covid-19, to pass away, a few days later.
To provide some details of her life, the following history should be interesting, especially because it highlights not only her own history and life, but also because it highlights an era which, despite being marred by the deprivations and restricting evils of apartheid, produced a generation of progressive individuals who were dedicated to hard work conscientiously carried out.
Ms Ismail received some of her high school education at the government school in Marabastad and obtained her National Senior Certificate by home study in the early 1950’s – a time when education for women was not encouraged – a time when educating women was frowned upon. Some of her contemporaries in school, though not necessarily in the same class, may be of historical interest to the Laudium community, both the elders and the young. These contemporaries were (list being compiled with apologies for contemporaries inadvertently omitted) Mr Ahmedjee Docrat (B Com. Wits) Ms Banoo Goolab (BA, later a teacher), “TD” (BA, later a teacher), Parsotam Goolab (electronics business in Marabastad), Ms Maniben Sita (distinguished activist), Mr Jethalal Sita, Ms Sheila Pillay, skilled writer, (later to become Mrs Roshan Joosub), Judge Ismail Mohamed (BA LLB. Wits), Dr E.C.Hassim (MB ChB. UCT), Mr Goolam Noormohamed (“Boerkie” Matric. excellent pupil – forced to abandon further
studies to support his parents) Mr Solly Hajee (Matric – proceeded to Kenya to conduct successful business activity) Ms Gulshan Velshie (excellent pupil-ABC Bakery emigrated to Canada, married a tycoon), Ms Patricia Mitchel (School secretary, “Patsy”/Mrs Singh), Mrs Joy Theba (excellent pupil) Mr “Rexie” Najerallie (excellent pupil, emigrated to Canada), Mr Hira Jasmat (Wits student and later joined “Solomons” of Pretoria North) Mr Tayob Carrim (“Tayob Station”) Mr Tayob Carrim (“Tayob Achaar”) Mr E.A.C Tayob. (Union Bookkeepers), Mr Abdul Gani (“Handy Garments” family) Soccerite Issie Moosa (Soccerite Zane’s father), Mr Joosub Aboobaker (“Joe Pretoria West”, successful businessman, excellent pupil). Dr Ronnie Pillay (MB ChB. Wits, FCP Paediatrics), Mr Noor Bhidia (had great potential as an orator and possibly a lawyer). The excellence of pupils is included here only where first-hand knowledge of this has been readily available. Hence the non-mention of this quality in respect of others is not intended to be taken as a slight.
Ms Ismail entered the teaching profession thereafter, through studies at the Fordsburg College of Education, where she came into contact with the Late Mr Ahmed Timol who she admired for his character and commitment to The Struggle; and the late Mr Hassim Jooma (another principled activist) of Laudium, (later to become a teacher/Principal in Laudium/Brits). Ms Ismail’s early career was garnished with a stint of teaching in the United Kingdom. After a few years of teaching, mostly at Andrew Anthony Primary School, she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree, and then the Bachelor of Education post-graduate degree, both from UNISA. She then joined the teachers’ training college in Laudium as a lecturer, where she served for many years, under its Principal, another humanitarian, Mr Kemp. Ms Ismail was an infant education specialist and during this period, she co-authored a book on infant education produced by fellow – lecturers at the University of Pretoria, having done sessions on infant education at the University.
Her helpful nature could not but plunge her into the political arena, albeit on a small scale. She assisted in the distribution of anti-Apartheid pamphlets, which unfortunately in Johannesburg, ended in a subsequent tragedy for the brave late Ahmed Timol. She assisted in the provision and delivery of regular food parcels to the detainee, Imam Cassiem of Cape Town, who was incarcerated in Pretoria. She shunned the activities related to the politics which attempted to give legitimacy to the policies of the apartheid government. She looked forward to the arrival of a non-racial South Africa.
Probably because she had majored in History towards her Bachelor of Arts degree, she took a keen interest in international affairs and empathised with the plight of Iraqi, Iranian and particularly, the Palestinian peoples. In 1991 the march to the United States’ embassy and the Union Buildings in protest against the threatened invasion of Iraq by the United States and United Kingdom was initiated and organised by Ms Ismail, in collaboration with Mr Yusuf “Mac” Osman of Laudium. This is just one of the examples of her ‘doing’ personality. Just before being forced to relocate to Laudium in the 1970’s as part of the government’s resettlement scheme in terms of the Group Areas Act, Ms Ismail joined the Laudium Mental Health Society, after which one of her activities was to assist Mrs Amie Choonara (another quiet ‘doer’) who had earlier successfully founded the school for the mentally handicapped in Laudium.
Merely to give the younger generation an off-the-cuff glimpse into her associates and the past personalities of Laudium (apologising for names inadvertently left out) as well as to revive some memories for the elderly, the following were the members of the Laudium Mental Health Society. They were nominated by a packed meeting of the community at the Laudium Civic Centre, courtesy of Mr Aboo Ebrahim (another dedicated social worker-businessman, another facilitator, who conveyed the idea of a mental health facility from the Pretoria mother body, the Pretoria Mental Health Society). The elected members inter alia, were, Mrs Perry Padachachee, Dr E.C. Hassim (Chairman) and Mr Jagdish Joshie M.A (Wits/UNISA), treasurer; Mrs Joy Theba as secretary, Mr and Mrs Soma (Accountant and Social Worker respectively), Mr Ismail Ayob (“Ismail Fatty”), Ms M. Ismail (BA B Ed.), Laudium High School Principal Dr Dilla (PhD). Thereafter, the previously founded School for the Handicapped (by Mrs Amie Choonara) was incorporated into the Laudium Mental Health Society. Mrs Amie Choonara, was keenly assisted by inter alia, Ms M. Ismail, Ms Aadillah Soondka, Mrs Noorjehan Cassim, Mrs Gorrie Docrat, Mrs Soma (Social Worker) and Ms Smuts (Psychologist).
After over ten years of dedication to the demands of the organisations, except for Mrs Choonara, most of the first group of original members later left the two combined organisations after Dr Hassim was obliged to step down, after ten years at the helm, due to his other commitments, but only after ensuring that land from the City Council was granted for the construction of a venue for the Mental Health Society and the School for the Laudium Handicapped. Further work was carried out inter alia, by a later group appointed by the then House of Delegates who changed the name of Mrs Choonara’s school into “Sunrise School”
Ms Ismail, on leaving the Mental Health Society joined the current Laudium Cancer Care Group at the invitation of Mrs Jubie Docrat and became its secretary.
The most telling of her services were those rendered quietly, and unassumingly. She helped virtually everyone who she could. If she could not help personally, she transported the supplicant in her own vehicle to someone who may be able to assist. As expected, beggars at her doorstep were never ignored, unless she was at one of her daily prayers. That she was a devoted Muslim was an unpublicised and largely unknown fact – but she did more. She acquitted herself in carrying out admirably, the Quranic injunction of Sura Al-Maidah, “O you who believe, bow and prostrate and worship your Lord and do good – that you may succeed.” Prayers, fasting and good deeds, helping others in particular, went hand in hand with her as a true servant of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala; serving Him in the service of His creation.
To our family she proved to be a God-sent Angel of Mercy on many occasions. May she be rewarded abundantly. May her soul rest in peace and may Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala grant her Jannatul Firdous.
– Submitted by Shaahida, Adv. Soraya, Ruveida and their father, Dr. E.C. Hassim.
