A madrassa in Lotus River is facing closure after the City of Cape Town cancelled their lease.
The contract expired at the end of January and the City informed them that it will not be renewed despite “every expectation they would do so”.
On Saturday about 100 parents and learners from Madrasatut Ta’liyah Hafith school in Grassy Park picketed outside the premises, situated on the corner of De Wet and Klip roads, to try and save their school.
Placards reading “CoCT Hands Off Our Madressa”, “Save Taliyah”, “What’s The Problem?” and “Save Our School” were held by children as young as eight years old.
A member of the madressa, Yusuf Khan Dalwai, says the City notified them in October that when the lease concluded on 31 January 2019, it would not be renewed and that the school would have to vacate the premises.
STUDENTS: TA'LAYIA students won't say good bye to their madressa. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
He said their bid to renegotiate the lease has fallen on deaf ears while the City is allowing other prospective tenants to inspect the building.
The madressa was established in the late 1990s by Sheikh Mogamat Adams.
Three years ago Adams spotted the vacant premises and contacted the City to make enquiries.
A lease was granted for three years and Dalwai says they fully expected that it would be renewed as they have not given the City any reason to do otherwise.
“Usually when a renewal on a lease is denied, it comes down to tenants not paying, a disagreement or problems created.
“There was no disagreement. We had no reason to think this would happen,” an upset Dalwai says.
“We immediately tried to engage the City and went to various officials trying to get assistance.”
He says the madressa has become a thriving community hub.
EXPIRED: Madressa lease not renewed. PHOTO: SUPPLIED.
“The madressa has just over 100 children and then there are classes on Saturdays as well.
“We teach students from Lotus River and the surrounding Grassy Park and Ottery as well.
“We also have feeding schemes and people from different areas come for this as well. It is a major setback having to look for other premises,” Dalwai says.
Dalwai says they have received a six-month extension after intervention from an unnamed City official, but says this is not enough.
“We have nowhere to go and our children will not receive their teaching, as is their right. We have requested a meeting with the Mayor (Dan Plato).”
Lyndon Khan from the Mayor’s office said Plato was currently gathering information from officials and would be able to respond today.