Magister Educationis - MEd / The aim of this study is to investigate ·and outline the importance and significance of Arabic in the South African context. The study investigates inter alia the part played by the early Muslim settlers, political exiles and the pioneers who made possible the preservation of Islamic faith and culture. This study demonstrates that the period from 1652 to date had been a period of considerable development, expansion and _enlightenment of Arabic. The study revealed inter alia that only Indian schools under the Department of Indian Affairs (now Department of Education and Culture) offered Arabic which fully satisfied the Muslim Community's demands. 1975 marks the beginning of Arabic as a language in Indian secondary schools. The Muslim pupil is given the basic grounding in the understanding of both the Quran and the Hadith. Some suggestions regarding aspects of an effective didactic approach concludes this presentation.