Malek Manji

by Shiraz Manji, London, UK, December 27, 2011

My dad was known as Malek Manji and my mum Gulshan Manji.

Dad came from a very prominent and well to do family of Mombasa known as Manji Rehamtulla. They made their living as the sole importers of Rayleigh bicycles, fishing nets and petroleum products. They were well to do and had a grand house in Mombasa.

My dad was spoilt and kind of unambitious, so he was sent 100 miles south- to Tanga. In some sense for our family, Tanga also equates to a “Punishment”.

In Tanga, my dad did several ventures which were too early for their time such as recycling tyres and batteries or manufacturing ice creams, toiletries, and so on – all of which were brought to a certain level and not pursued further. I guess he enjoyed the start-up phase and then got bored.

My mum, Gulshan Manji - where do I start? For me she was my Angel, my God and so very sweet and kind.

She grew up in Arusha and came from the Nanji family. She was smart and elegant and also had the Tanga habit of having an afternoon snooze.

Just before she would have a rest in the afternoon, my brother Alnoor and I would sit next to her bedside and she would read us fables and stories which I remember to this day.

Despite our uncertain financial attainment at the time, my mum gave us the very best of everything. In Tanga we were short of nothing.