Hussein Lalji

Partners

Hirbai Jivraj 1955

Children

Hussein Lalji Bharmal

Hussein Chacha (Uncle), as Mr Hussein Lalji was commonly address, came to Tukuyu in 1922 to join his brother Wadabapa Kanji Lalji and to look after his business so that Wadabapa Kanji can go back to Kutch to get married. Following Wadabapa's return, he went into his own business. He was dealing with purchasing of coffee, tea & beans. As his business grew, his main business shop moved to Mbeya and with regard to Tukuyu shop, he went into partnership with his nephew Fazal Manji (Lalji) as Hussein Lalji & Company. This partnership was dissolved in early/mid 1930s after Fazal Manji family had to move to Mbeya for their young daughter's health reasons.

Hussein Chacha was quite an entrepreneur and his business was quite successful; dealing with wholesale and retail general business, Standard Mobil agency, "Phosho" (Flour) mill. Also he had a branch in Chunya for a short period during the gold rush in Chunya region. He also purchased and installed Furniture manufacturing equipment plant in late 1950's in Mbeya. Unfortunately in Nov 1961, he developed brain haemorrhage and passed away on 9th Nov 1961 at the age of 51 years. It was alleged that he was under lot of stress. Prior to Tanganyika getting independence, majority of businesses in Mbeya were being audited by the then exiting British Government before handing over power for extra income to the leaving government, before leaving Tanganyika.. Lots of business became victims for paying large sum of taxes to the then government.

Hussein Chacha’s first wife was Hirbai Jivraj, sister of Abdulla and Ali Jivraj (resident of Mbeya & Mbozi respectively). They had one and only daughter Khatun who married Hassanali, son of well known Tukuyu family of Merali Hirji. Hassanali was one of the first Ismaili to get Secondary School education in Dar es Salaam. He became a partner of well known Dar es Salaam business firm of Ali Rajan Walji Ltd. Hirbai Hussein Lalji passed away in Mbeya in 1955. Both Khatun and Hassanali Merali Hirji passed away in Calgary.

Standing Hassanali Merali Hirji and Hussein Lalji Sitting Khatun(Hussein Lalji) H. M. Hirji, Hirbai H Lalji, Roshan H Lalji with sons Mohamed ,Nizar & Amin. Photo Nizar H Lalji

Hussein Chacha's second wife was Roshan, daughter of Khalfan Hassam and sister of Hassanali of Hassanali Furniture of Zanzibar. They had five sons- Mohamed, Nizar, Amin, Nazim(Babu), Alnoor and three daughters -Nasim (husband Mansur Gulamhussein Manji of Singida), Rozila (husband- Shiraz Hassanali Boga of Zanzibar) and Shainaz (Husband Moyez Kamrudin Pirmohamed Anand of Iringa).

Sitting: Mohamed, Alnoor. Amin; Standing Roshan( Moh'd wife), Rozila, Shainaz and Nizar(absent is Nasim) 2022 Photo: Dr Moh'd Manji collection

Nazim (commonly known as Babu)- passed away in 1999. Photo: Dr Moh'd Manji collection

Mrs Roshan Hussein Lalji passed away on 14th November 1965 at the age of 42 years. After the death of their father Hussein Lalji, the eldest son Mohamed took over the business of retail and wholesale, kind of starting from scratch and made it a successful one.Most importantly, he looked after and took care of his all younger brothers and sisters. Mohamed got married to Roshan Ladha of Dar es Salaam; Nizar got married to Mina (Nazminabegum) Janmohamed Pirmohamed Anand of Mbeya. Her family had moved to Mbeya from Moshi. He and Mina served as Mukhi/Mukhiani of Etobicoke Jamatkhana 2009-2012. With the exception of Babu (Nazim) all Hussein Lalji family emigrated to Canada and have settled in Toronto, Ontario and Calgary, Alberta. Nazim (Babu as he was commonly known in Mbeya) married Nishi (Nasreen), daughter of Abdul and Khatijha Khanmohamed Jessa of Mbeya. Nazim with his wife Nishi served as Kamadia and Kamadiani ( 1987-1990) and then Mukhi and Mukhiani (1993- 1996) of Mbeya Jamat; Nazim also became Chairman of Ismaili Council for Southern Tanzania in 1999; during his this tenor on 31st July 1999 he passed away suddenly.