Hasham Jessa

From Khoja Wiki


Mr. Hasham Jessa
All Nicknames
  • Lord Jessa
Town of birth
Country of birth
Date of Birth
  • 1898
Place of Death
Place of longest stay
Profession or occupation carriedout for the longest period in life
  • Businessman
  • Farmer
  • Trader
  • General Contractor
Where-City or Country
Siblings
Partners

Born in 1898 Junagadh

Accompanied by his wife Sambai (Virji Amershi), Hashambhai moved to Moshi from Mombasa and set up a duka (shop) at Himo.

He later started a bee-keeping and honey business and gradually expanded his mushrooming business empire to include a cattle and fruit farm in Ngare, Nairobi and constructed a multi-storey building – Tanganyika House – opposite the Kilimanjaro Native Co-operative Union.

Jessa was a shrewd businessman who sold fruits, mainly oranges and tangerine and vegetables from his farm in west Kilimanjaro to Nairobi.

Behind this successful man was his wife Sambai, who despite having limited education, was a real powerhouse in negotiating lucrative deals with banks and businesses.

He was affectionately known as “Lord Jessa” by people who respected his business ethics and charitable spirit.