Condolences are pouring in for Kenville Primary School principal, Raihnu Saikoolal, 65, and her husband Ashakoomar Saikoolal, 71, who passed away within days of each other, last week. Raihnu passed away on 3 February and Ashakoomar passed away on 5 February.
Raihnu has been part of the school for over 30 years and is well-known for her participation in charity drives, cultural activities, religious functions and creating religious centres.
Ashakoomar worked in medical research, traveling into Africa often to do research on malaria, and played a pivotal role in curbing malaria in many places. He was also honoured to be invited to Necker Island by Richard Branson to assist with the problem of mosquitoes.
As the principal of the Kenville Primary School, she always made sure that all pupils got the best education. The Saikoolals will be remembered as a couple who worked selflessly for the community, helped people in need and showed a parental figure to many.
Raihnu was a person who made time for every function she was invited to, visited people in need, reached out physically and financially to any person or organisation who required assistance. She had spearheaded the borehole project at Kenville Primary School to allow the pupils to have access to water.
Friends and family shared their heartfelt condolences on Facebook.
Adhika Lalbahadur said: “Wherever there was something big happening you were always there to make sure it was carried out in style and class purely for the enjoyment of others. It saddens me to know that this King and Queen will not be around anymore, I am devastated, heartbroken, shocked to name a few. I cannot imagine what your prince and princesses are going through. The pandemic took you away too quickly, we needed a Bhajan to sing with my Dad, or a Paatshaala event to plan with my tribal Mother’s.” (sic)
Rajiv Dukhanti said that: “On behalf of Kensea Cricket club and it’s players we sadly say farewell to Mrs Saikoolal. Saikoolal was always part of each an every player and member of the club. Being a female Saikoolal always stood out.
She became very involved and was later nominated as a chairperson where she played a dynamic role representing Kensea Cricket Club at the forefront, at Durban and districts cricket union. She later moved to treasury of the club. Saikoolal always had our back and gave us her full support. She had the integrity, passion and love for everything she aspired to.” (sic)
The couple leave behind four children and three grandchildren.
