Hussein Hasham Mawji

Hussein Hasham Mawji

Town of birth

• Moshi

Country of birth

• Tanzania

Date of Birth

• 1912/12/27

Date of Death

• 1970

Place of Death

• Nairobi

Name of Cemetery and plot no

• Khoja Ismaili Kabrastan - Cemetery
• Nairobi
• Kenya.

Place of longest stay

• Nairobi

Profession or occupation carriedout for the longest period in life

• Business- Hats Caps etc

• Restaurant

Where-City or Country

• Kenya

Family tree

Parents

Hassam Mawji Amlani

Siblings

Gulamhussein Hassam Mawji Amlani 1916

Badrudin Hasam Mawji

Partners

Sherbanu Ahmed Premji

Children

Abdul Hussein Amlani 1937

Laila Hussein Amlani

Mehboob Hussein Amlani

Nasir Hussein Amlani

Born in 1912 Moshi

Hassam Mawji Amlani(Born in).

Hussein Bhai Hasham Mawji, also known as Hussein Hasham Amlani was born in Moshi, Tanzania, on 27 December 1912. His mother passed away at an early age, the father got remarried and he was sent to a boarding school in Wankaner, British Indiawhere he was educated and also learnt the art of garment and hat-making.

He returned back to where his family had moved to Mwanza, Tanzania and there, he started his business as a general merchant.

Hussein Bhai married Sherbanu, daughter of Mohamed Premji and had their first son in 1937.

In 1939, the family moved to Nairobi, Kenya where, due to the need of the British Military for uniforms during this time of war, Hussein Bhai started his first business venture called ‘Husseini Cap Mart’. He manufactured various hats for the army, local bus companies, and Kenya police. He made this business very successful.

Hussein Bhai was entrepreneurial, independent-minded and encouraged, trained and helped many people to go into their own businesses in Kenya.

He was very also involved with his Ismaili community. He designed and made uniforms for the Aga Khan schools, flags, and banners for all important Ismaili celebrations and events. Being an innovative person, he designed and made a huge umbrella in green and red "My Flag" colors with a gold handle. For this contribution, he was given the honor to escort Sir Sultan Mohamed Shah during his visit to Kenya.

• 

  Hussein Bhai with Sir Sultan Mohamed Shah in Nairobi,

Hussein and Sherbanu had a daughter and three more sons between 1942 and 1957. Later, the family moved to the coastal city of Mombasa, where Hussein Bhai started a restaurant called Princess Cafe and the Gaylords Ice Cream Parlor. Princess Cafe became well known for their food and snacks and Gaylords Ice cream parlor for his own new recipe of pistachio ice-cream.

Hussein Bhai also operated a fleet of cars and vans that provided rental and transport services. Later, he returned to Nairobi with his family and re-started the cap business.

He passed away at an early age of sixty in 1972. His children and grandchildren inherited his independence, confidence, innovative and artistic abilities. And his spirit, they too, be it in their line of work, business or community, continue to support, help, and train as well as encourage and motivate others around them.

Contributed by Laila Valli and her siblings. (2017)