Kassam Suleman Verjee
- 1918
- Siblings
- Partners
- 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.
Kassam's first wife was a fine Swahili lady called Jalabehn. He had two sons, Esmail and Kassam.
Kassam's second wife was Indian. She was Rajabali and Bahadur,s mother. They were all brothers. Same Father, different mothers.
PARKLANDS JAMATKHANA. In 1931 the Verjees spearheaded the Parklands club, and Jamatkhana in 1932. The land for the Parklands Complex Nairobi was donated by the Verjee Family.
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)
