History of Paarl Families (Part 2)

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Khan Family A personality that contributed a lot to the education of the Muslim community of Paarl and who dominated the scene for three generations, is Hadji Abdul Gamied Khan, known to most of the older generations as “Meester” Khan. In Cape Town he was known as Betta Khan. Betta is an Indian title for brother. Meester came from Simons Town to replace Hadji Aziz Latief, who retired and later tragically passed away in a car accident. Thus, Meester became principal of the Paarl Moslem School as a very young man, more or less in 1930. Some of his pupils in 1930 were Auntie Mariam Abrahams, Boeta Osman Sonday, Auntie Jaynie Moerat, Hadji Abubie Moerat, etc. Even people like the late Hadji Manie Nackerdien, were pupils of Meester Khan. In our own case, Meester taught my father-in-law, Hadji Adam Moerat, my wife and myself, and our children. That means three generations in our case. Very few Paarlites know the history of Meester, besides that he was married to Sis Gadie (nee Morton), who was formerly from Johannesburg. Her brother, Boeta Osman Morton married Auntie Atieka Latief from Paarl. Meester and Sis Gadie had three sons and three daughters, namely Rashied, Shamieg, Roedie Solker, Farouk, Kariema Davids and Fahiema Jakoet. I had to interview the eldest surviving member of Meester’s family, Roedie Solker, to find out more about Meester’s history. What I learnt was that Meester’s father was a man named Munshi Achmat Khan, who immigrated from a part of India, which is today known as Pakistan, at the start of the 20 th century. The late Munshi, as so many Indians, came to seek his fortune in this country, as well as to escape British imperialism in their own country. He travelled by boat and landed at Simon’s Town, where he settled. He married a beautiful young girl, named Rachmat. The couple had two children, named Abdul Gamied and Fatima. Munshi decided to move to Australia, but his wife’s family decided that the children were too young for the long travel. Munshi, thus travelled alone, and never returned to South Africa. In fact he married an Australian wife, who corresponded with Meester years afterwards. That wife also had children of Munshi. Some of the correspondence are still in the possession of Roedie Solker. Meester’s sister, Fatima, married Imam Achmat Toefy of Stellenbosch. Their children are still resident in Stellenbosch. They are Yasminah Raziet (wife of Laam Raziet), Imam Nawhaawhie, Rachmat Cornelson, Salegga and Mustapha (who is married to Suraya, daughter of Boeta Yusuf and Auntie Rhoda Moerat of Paarl). Meester retired at the age of 60 as principal of the school in 1970, and was succeeded by one of his former pupils, Fouzul Latief. In the earlier years, until the early 1950s, Meester was often called upon to go on stage to deliver speeches at public occasions. This was the case in 1952, when a very distinguished guest, Moulana Abdul Aleem Sidique, from Medina, visited Paarl and addressed a public audience in the Paarl Town Hall. Meester also contributed articles on Islam to the Paarl Post on a regular basis. The family resided in Templer Street for many years, before they were forced to move to Paarl East, by the Group Areas act. If there is one person who needs to be remembered by the Paarl Muslims, by naming an institution after him, it is Meester Khan. I have suggested in the past that an A G Khan Museum would be appropriate to honour his name among future generations. 19
The other Khan family, Achmad and Jawaya, passed away and their children left Paarl to settle elsewhere. The third Khan family, from Daljosaphat, moved in much later. Sonday Family I interviewed Boeta Osman Sonday about his heritage, prior to his death. He informed me that his father, Boeta Mahmoed Sonday, also emigrated from India to seek his fortune in this country. He left a wife behind in India, and remarried Boeta Osman’s mother here. He went into the butcher business in Paarl as well as a grocery business. They had the following children, Boeta Hoesain, Boeta Osman, Fatima, Kulsom and Azeeza. Boeta Mahmoed and his family lived in a residence on the corner of Breda and Weiss Street. Their backyard was immediately opposite the Breda Street Mosque and the Paarl Moslem School. For many years, they were the only suppliers of halaal meat to the community of Paarl and Wellington area. Boeta Osman was the last surviving member of the family with some of his children. His wife, Aunty Gamieda passed away first and he passed away recently. Essop Family Photo kindly donated by Jamela King of London. Boeta Ahmad and his wife Auntie Amina moved from Cape Town to Franshhoek, where they carried on a general dealer business. He originally immigrated from India and she was the daughter of Sulaiman Sha Mohammed, also known as Ryke Sulaiman, because of his wealth. His name is still inscribed at the tomb of Tuan Yusuf at Macassar. 20
Page 1 and 2: Du Toit Family We have traced the h
Page 3 and 4: Imam Mustapha remarried after the p
Page 5 and 6: A historical photograph taken in 19
Page 7 and 8: A Photo taken of members of the Nac
Page 9: Auntie Liemie married the late Boet
Page 13 and 14: Two sons, Solly, Ebrahim and daught
Page 15 and 16: Kulsom found happiness with her sec

History of Paarl Families (Part 2)

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