Al-Qalam 
By Nabeelah Shaikh
In a landmark celebration marking half a century of dedicated service, the South African National Zakah Fund (SANZAF) has launched a state-of-the-art chef school in Durban.
This significant milestone, which underscores SANZAF’s enduring commitment to community upliftment and empowerment, is set to transform the lives of more underprivileged students by equipping them with essential culinary skills and opening doors to numerous opportunities within the hospitality industry.
The launch commemorated the organisation’s five decades of dedication to community empowerment. SANZAF started offering a basic chef’s course back in 2010, and it has been a cornerstone of the organisation’s skills development programmes.
At first, it was a six-month course, but now it has launched a fully accredited three-year course that uplifts the lives of its recipients.
Speaking at the event, Saajida Ebrahim, SANZAF’s Chef Trainer at the school, said they looked at the demand for the qualification and wanted to enhance its offering.
“We wanted to offer our students a recognised qualification. Once the accreditation was done, we looked at expanding the school so we could take on more learners, and Alhamdulillah, with the help of our donors, we were able to achieve this. All of this is to assist our disadvantaged learners to progress, to have careers, to uplift their lives and the lives of their families,” said Ebrahim.
She said the aim was to grow the less fortunate as individuals and help them lead sustainable lives and sustainable futures. “We have accomplished that. Insha’allah we will be climbing many more mountains, empowering and graduating many more students. Uplifting communities through education, skills, and development,” said Ebrahim.
The school has been endorsed by the Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA), along with Master Chef.
Several chefs shared their heartfelt stories of transformation and success, thanking SANZAF for providing them with life-changing opportunities. Many of the school’s alumni are now working at some of the top hotels and catering companies around the country. They spoke at the launch about how the school and SANZAF have transformed their lives and given them opportunities they never thought would be possible.
The alumni gave emotional testimonies about their lives, the poverty they came from and what they have been able to achieve thanks to the chef school.
Chef Ramdaan Hlongwane, who now works at Capital Caterers, delivered an emotional speech about his journey from poverty to success and how the organisation and the chef school have changed his life.
“I did not just conquer my culinary art skills at SANZAF, but also my imaan was elevated. It pushed me to make dua and keep my imaan intact. I do not work for a Muslim company but through my imaan, I have been able to get them to work with halaal organisations like Sanha,” said Hlongwane.
Ramadan said he had to make a lot of sacrifices growing up, and the school has enabled him to live a better life. He said he came from ‘nothing’ and was funded by the community for everything he has achieved in his life, including his education, which was funded by SANZAF.
“I had to go write my matric exams with shoes that I borrowed from a friend, and today, thanks to what SANZAF has given me, and making me become a chef, I can walk into any shop and buy myself any pair of shoes that I like. It’s one thing that I’ve never owned in my life, especially a brand-new pair,” said Hlongwane.
Another alumnus of the chef school, Haadiya Zincume, shared her story of how the school and the opportunities presented to her by SANZAF have empowered her.
She said that, thanks to where she is today, she is building her mother a home, and it wouldn’t have been possible had she not been a student of the chef school.
“Every time I pray, I still remember SANZAF. Today, I am doing my honours degree in consumer science, food and nutrition. I am aiming for a doctorate because I want to be a nutritionist. If you have been given an opportunity, grab it with both hands. If you have been given an opportunity make sure you make something out of yourself. Don’t sit at home and blame the government; if you have an opportunity, make good use of it,” said Zincume.
