Bahadurali Kassam Suleman Verjee

Children

Initially Suleman Verjee could not afford a shop. He was very poor and had actually borrowed the money for the fare to Africa and the family's upkeep in India. He had borrowed 350 rupees initially in Diu and again 2000 rupees in Mumbai before they sailed from there.
Rattansi Virji whom he met when he landed in Mombasa.
Rattansi's wife was impressed that he had made the trip with such young children and she really liked Kassam. They took him under their wing and took Kassam as an apprentice. They had no children.
Suleman started making sweetmeats on the Veranda of Rattansi's small shop. From this, he expanded, opened a store, and tended to their customers. The debts were paid off, family gradually brought over, business expanded.
Community and Religion were a major driving force for Suleman.
During those early years, Kassam was the brains of the enterprise and worked very hard.The Boys were hard workers. They had big dreams and ambitions.They fulfilled a lot of Suleman Verjee's dreams. Gradually they started importing other goods.
Kassam guided the enterprise. His connection with the couple in Mombasa (Rattansi Verjee) gave the family the break they needed to get their foot in the door.
Kassam was impressive. At one time or another, he had been chairman of multiple Institutions. In 1904 as Chairman of The Indian Community, he threw a Party for the Duke of Connaught to celebrate the completion of the Railway line to the Uganda Border. He also realized the economic stimulus the Railway would have in Kenya,s and the family's fortunes. He was the first President of the Ismaili Council from 1914 to 1916. Unfortunately Kassam Suleman Verjee had to leave for India for health reasons in 1917. He died there shortly after in 1918 at age 50.
His sons Rajabali and Bahadurali took over their Family business and legacies.
BAHADURALI KASSAM SULEMAN VERJEE (BKS Verjee) was the first Verjee boy to get a University degree. He achieved many firsts. He was the first Ismaili Barrister in Uganda. BKS Verjee aka “Bahadurali Barrister.” I will refer to him as BKS as well.

INDIAN SETTLERS IN AFRICA-THE LEGACY OF SULEMAN VERJEE AND SONS BY DR KAS JAMAL SULEMAN VERJEE. NEW KINDLE EDITION : March 2021.(Location 518-1020)