Old Boys’ Club pays tribute to founding member
AS THE Orient Islamic High School Old Boys’ Club celebrates it’s 51st anniversary this year, founding members are set to pay tribute to their colleague, Mohamed “Bhai” Dhai, who died earlier this month.
Dhai was among the founding members of the Old Boys’ Club, which brought together former students of the Orient Islamic High School to network and assist with welfare work.
Dhai died at the age of 70 on March 16.
He has been hailed by his colleagues for his impact on developing the group.
The inaugural president of the club, Ismail Patel, said: “We started this club on April 29,
1967, because, as former students, we wanted to keep in touch on a regular basis. Bhai, as he was affectionately known, played a great part in helping us launch Old Boys.”
Since its inception the group has embarked on various pieces of charity work including the annual Ramadhan project that generates hundreds of care packages, which are donated to poor families across Durban.
The club also ensured that the Old Boys were always in good physical shape.
“Dhai was passionate about soccer and he made sure that we were involved in a sporting code. He even donated the original sporting kit. We would play soccer, cricket, and tabletennis. It was all about coming together and giving back to our community,” added Patel.
While Dhai would be missed, Patel said their members would continue to carry on his legacy as the club embarks on the journey to their 100-year milestone.
Patel said: “We want to carry out even bigger outreach programmes in future. For example, this year we are expected to pack at least 2 000 Ramadhan hampers worth almost R2000 each.”
Patel called on former pupils, their friends and family to join the Old Boys in their venture to take the club to greater levels.
“You don’t have to be part of Orient Islamic High School, you just need to have the desire to do good in the world,” he said.