End of an era: a Silverglen star has fallen

A MAJESTIC sandalwood tree has been cut down - it leaves its scent upon the apparatus; such is its nature. Its aroma lingers long after it has fallen; such is its essence. Throughout its lifespan, it served many purposes - among its uses, shade and shelter, meditation and prayer.

This sandalwood tree symbolises Silverglen Sri Sathya Sai education in human values, balvikas guru, Maggie Palanee – the characteristics described are merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to her life and legacy.

To her thousands of pupils as well as their parents, guardians, families, and the community, she was affectionately and respectfully known as Mrs Palanee, Aunty Maggie, or ma’am - a benevolent beacon of love, wisdom, and selfless service.

Mrs Palanee took on the role of principal at Silverglen Primary School, where she served with dedication and determination, honour and humility - leaving a lasting impact and inspiring those around her.

During her tenure at the helm of the school, she transformed the institution by maximising limited resources. She was kind and fair, with an unwavering belief in the potential of every child. Instilling the noble teachings of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, she led with a strict yet simple, gracious, calm and compassionate demeanour; guiding generations of children into young adults who strive for excellence in all aspects of life - spiritually, academically and morally.

She treated every child as her own, offering them love, respect and encouragement at every step. Aunty Maggie embodied this demeanour even outside school. She adorned it with the motifs of truth, peace, love, right conduct and non-violence. Aunty Maggie was a pillar of strength and sincerity, wisdom and worth. Within the Silverglen Sai Centre and the broader Chatsworth and Durban Sai community, she was often looked upon for her resilient spirit, sincere intentions and ability to uplift others. In times of darkness and doubt, young and old turned to her for guidance.

She was worth more than her weight in gold; when she engaged in her service of temple brassware duty, the items would shine in a way that no one else could achieve, glowing brightly, brilliantly and beautifully.

As a balvikas ma’am, Aunty Maggie made her balvikas pupils shine even brighter. In this role, she would not only complete the education in human values curriculum enabling her pupils to graduate brilliantly after ten years - from ages six to sixteen - in the Sri Sathya Sai Education programme, she also far exceeded the standard expectations of balvikas.

She moulded minds, crafted characters, pruned personalities, hallowed heads and hearts - all under the guidance of her Guru, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba and His philosophy: “The end of education is character, the end of wisdom is freedom and the end of knowledge is love.”

Equipped with ma’am’s teachings, her balvikas pupils continue to inspire beautifully and leave lasting impressions around the world, transcending borders and boundaries, race and limitation to spread love and light.

Her legacy is imprinted not only in the temple and classroom, but also in the lives and hearts of all those she touched. Those who experienced her mentorship today shine radiantly and stand out among their peers. They share stories of being transformed from dust to diamonds and of ma’am guiding them from gravel to gold.

Their narratives are woven into the fabric of the community and its collective treasure trove an impact that is recognised worldwide. Only a small portion of the greatness of this genial and gentle giant Maggie Palanee has been explored; the grand glacier of this giving Guru could only be experienced by those whose good fortune it was to receive her grace and witness her grandeur.

Her smile, warmth, wisdom and prayers will be deeply missed but never forgotten. She existed solely for the world’s welfare and her lodestar ideology that she imparted to her children, as taught to her by her Guru, lives on: “Wherever you see a sick person, a dispirited, disconsolate, diseased person, there is your field of service.

Every blood cell, every nerve, must tingle with Love, with eagerness to share that Love with the forlorn. When Love has filled the heart, it has really been transformed into Divinity, for, God is Love and Love is God.”

Vedhan Singh is a commentator on South African politics, human rights, and socio-economic issues.

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