Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
06 March 2023 | 13:00 CAT

Image: School Digest

The memories of two of South Africa’s anti-apartheid heroes will live on with the launch at the weekend of a scholarship at the Progress Primary School in Lenasia.

The Amrit Bhowan Laloo Chiba Scholarship, named after the two veteran anti-apartheid sporting and political leaders, is the successor to the Amrit Bhowan Memorial Scholarship Fund, established in 1969 by the Fordsburg United Football Club in honour of the late Amrit Bhowan.

After graduating from the Central Indian Highschool in Fordsburg, Amrit Bhowan completed his BA at Wits University and taught at Lenasia Secondary School as a mathematics teacher before obtaining his LLB. He was a prominent cricketer, soccer player and a young lawyer who gave a lot to education and sadly passed on at 28 due to meningitis.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, the Chairperson of the new scholarship, Dr Ismail Vadi, said the bursary fund established in honour of Bhowan had held an annual tournament over the years featuring many great teams of the time. The tournament was suspended, and for a good few years, an annual walk, the ‘Amrit Bhowan Big Walk’, was held in Lenasia.

Monies raised during these events were handed out as bursaries to students. However, over the past 15 years, the committee has yet to organise any events and did not award bursaries.

The relaunched scholarship now also carries the name of another veteran ANC politician, Laloo “Isu” Chiba, who has served on Robbin Island for 18 years with great leaders.

Dr Vadi said the scholarship would be revived in the name of a sporting and educational leader and political figure in our community.

Meanwhile, the scholarship focuses on Masters and Doctoral Students in terms of political science, sociology etc.

Dr Vadi said higher-level research abilities and capabilities are looked for annually and awarded to 1 or 2 students depending on the availability of funds.

Listen to the interview on Sabaahul Muslim with ML Sulaimaan Ravat.