Background

East London is currently home to a large Muslim community, populated by several nationalities including Indian, Malay, Somali and Bangladeshi families amongst others. Despite the growing number of Muslim families, there are currently no schools in East London providing academic education within a “Muslim friendly” environment, catering for the GET {Gr 0-9} and the FET {Gr 10-12}.

For decades, Muslim parents have had no choice but to send their children to schools that do not cater for the needs of the Muslim child. Private schools are too costly and the standard of education in Governmental schools are of concern to many.

The Muslim community in East London has grown extensively since the days when a single mosque, Masjid ul Muttaqeen located at 16 Porter Street, East London, was enough to serve the needs of the entire community. Prayers and Madressah lessons would take place at the homes of various community members.

”Some of the first lessons were given by Imam Mohamed Allie Masoet in 1938 and he went on to become the Imam of the Muslim community until his retirement in 1977. Thereafter, Imams Fuad Samaai, Abdullah Patel, Shaheed Salaamadatt and Anwar Variawa all served at Masjid ul Muttaqeen.”(excerpt from document History of Muslims in East London – Ms Haupt)

The Masjid thrived for years until the eviction of its residents under the Group Areas Act of the sixties. Lacking a community, the Masjid building infrastructure lagged behind. Over time with the influx of Somalian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi refugees, the need arose to increase the capacity of the Masjid; giving rise to the establishment of other Masaajid as well. Masaajid were since established in Braelyn, Buffalo Flats, Pefferville, Quigney and Beacon Bay.

Quality Education within a controlled environment was not easily accessible, resulting in parents having to send their children to other cities for this purpose. The growth of the Muslim community demanded a need to establish a fully compliant, registered Muslim School that would combine Academic education with Islamic values.

An Edu care (then called the Raudhatul-Atfaaal Edu care) was founded by Mrs Taslimah Jogie in 2006. She did not want to send her toddler to the regular Edu care and Creches as Christianity was promoted at these centres. The Edu care had grown gradually over the years until learners were ready to proceed into primary school.

To ensure that the school to be established would operate efficiently, under the guidance of Ulama, a committee was then established and The Olive Tree Institute NPO was formed. The ultimate aim and objective of Mrs Jogie has been to provide a high level of education wherein the Muslim child is able to grow and learn within the confines of an Islamic environment in conjunction with preparing learners to live in multi-cultural ,multi-religious, multi-linguistic society.

The school was formerly based at the Braelyn Heights Masjid until a notice to vacate was issued due to renovations. The school has been located in the outhouse of the Buffalo Flats Masjid since.