Fatima (Toemie) Emeran 1932 - 2006

Born in Cape Town 1932. Died 30 May 2006

The 4^th child of Gamiedoen and Zubeida.

“Fatima – was called Toemie since forever. She also worked.  She was more involved with my other uncles children,  Ammie from Walestreet, because his kids were the same age as her. “ Goosain

Toemie worked at a clothing factory but later she stayed at home at with her kids.

She married Rashaad White, a driver from Kimberley on 16 December 1962.

Ricky cycled to Cape Town from Kimberley in  July. It was in the heart of winter and in order to stay warm he would sleep among the sheep on the farms that he cycled past. He made his own version of Energade by adding water to a tin of apricot jam. When he arrived in Cape Town, he did lots of odd jobs. He befriended some Muslim teenagers living in Bokaap and became a boarder in one of their homes. He became interested in Islam and 2 years later he embraced Islam and changed his name to Rashaad.

Their “bruidskamer” was in Dorp Street when they got married then moved to a room in Buitengracht Street eventually when Sauiem was a year they moved to a house in Longmarket Street. 

Rashaad and Toemie had 4 children : Sauiem, Zubeida, Zulfa and Warda.

She gave birth locally at Saint Monica’s home.

Sauiem was born in Ramadaan and Bayah (Toemie’s father) chose the name, Zubeida was named after Toemie’s mother.

As a mother she was very loving and had a close relationship with her children.

The family enjoyed beach outings to Klippetjiesbaai and they would regularly take road trips to Saldanha, Kimberley and PE during the school holidays to visit family.  Padkos was a spread, like a Labarang. They would drive thru the night. Rashaad would flatten the back seats to make beds. They would stop along the side of the road at concrete tables and chairs for meals, admiring stunning sunsets and sunrises in the Karoo as they travelled. Besides playing a word game called Boggle, the car was filled with music by Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole.

The Mubaraks lived at 8 Dahlia Avenue, Square Hill Park, Kimberley. An amazing woman, who had had 9 kids and still had space for the White family and their guests, as Toemie would regularly invite people with to Kimberley.

One year Goosain and his family travelled with them. They were involved in a bad car accident. Their kombi was a right off.  Taurik (youngest son) was hospitalised because he had some glass on his face, near his eye. He still has the scar.

Aunty Leggie Kahaar would often come with too. She would stay with her family or inlaws. She had married someone from Kimberley, but unfortunately they were involved in car accident enroute to Kimberley and her husband, daughter and a son died.

Toemie was a wonderful cook and her Malay dishes were special. Her roasted leg of lamb was tops! She made the best rolls, baked bread, ginger biscuits and not forgetting her guava juice fresh from her guava tree. There were always lovely smells coming from the kitchen as she was always cooking or baking. Her home was always busy as there would be visitors popping in and out.

“Mommy never followed a recipe. Made do with whatever she had. If she had a lot potatoes, add it. Next week, if she had a lot butternut, replace the potatoes en gooi soma butternut in.” ( Zulfa)

Toemie & Rashaad left for Hajj around June 1977 and returned January 1978. They went by boat which added to their experience. Years later they would still speak about the experience of travelling by boat. Toemie was pregnant with Warda at the time. They stayed with Boeta Dullah and Fatgiyah (Aunty Sida's sister) and all her sisters in-law. Toemie had the best time as  their hosts opened up their hearts and home to her. She helped with daily chores and occasionally cooked “kaapse kos” (as the Arabs called it). They had a wonderful trip and  we're able to go to Palestine, Demascus and Jordan.

“Dad bought a new tv. It was a black and white little thing, bought on the 2 Feb 1978, the day Warda was born. Children weren't allowed in at StMonica's hospital, so my mommy showed us Warda from the window and we showed her our new kwaaiii tv! ” (Zulfa)

Toemie and Rashaad were very conservative and didn’t follow fashion trends.  They enjoyed reading the newspaper. Rashaad liked playing cards, klavajas and loved playing sports especially club rugby.

“We were not wealthy but my parents worked wisely with money.  “ - Warda

“Growing up I always thought we were poor. Looking back now, we actually weren't. So I think this question is all about perception.” - Zulfa

The home was always bustling. In those days people would gladly take in anyone who needed a place to stay. Toemie and Rashaad’s home was a place of mercy and kindness and everyone was welcome.

Sadullah Khan stayed with the family when he was around 9 years old.  He was learning hifdh by Sheikh Abadi across the road. The Whites knew his family from Vryburg. They had many boarders: there was a student from PE, Sedick. Sedick was Aunty Hilda’s (Rashaad’s cousin’s wife) neighbour. Junaid was a divorcee who embraced Islam in his 40s. He married Yumnah. Due to their close relationship with Toemie and her family, he was fondly referred to as Boeta Junaid and became part of the greater family. There was another Junaid : On one of their visits to Kimberley they met Jack who instantly connected with Sauiem. Jack insisted on coming to Cape Town with the family. Sauiem was a toddler so Jack was a helper/friend for Sauiem. He became Toemie’s right hand man helping to raise Sauiem. Years later he embraced Islam and got married. He was referred to as Jack Junaid.Top of Form

Having chickens roaming around homes in the BoKaap was a common sight, and it was no different at this residence in Longmarket street.

“ The chickens were kept for eggs but when my daddy lussed (desired), he would slaughter one. Only him and Boeta Junaid ate it. We never did. My daddy wasn't a lover of chicken and never ate store bought chickens. After my mommys passing on, I would buy his slaughtered chicken from a farm in Ottery.” Zulfa

Lena and Willy lived with the family as well. They were common law husband and wife that helped out around the White household. Willy was a driver for a spares shop in Buitengracht street around the corner from Harry's. The couple would meet on Fridays after work at the corner bottle store and get totally drunk. No matter how drunk Lena was on a Friday night, she was able to walk up Longmarket street, staggering but she would always make it to the top. Willy was a perfectionist, he would take an entire Saturday afternoon while the family went to Saldanha and clean the stove. When he was done, it would shine and look like a brand spanking new one. It wouldn't close properly and Toemie would put a broomstick in front of it while baking her rolls.

Toemie had a very easy going nature and would just go with the flow. When her daughter got married, she allowed her to do whatever she wanted and let her sisters see to the catering.

Toemie loved being a mama and completely spoilt Zubair and Tahir (Zubeida’s sons) as well as Sauiem's  children completely rotten. Zubair was the eldest grandchild and  was like her own child.  She raised him from 4 months old,  making all decisions about his well being as a child. She was very involved in his life.  When she was in her old age, Zubair was granted the opportunity of looking after her.

With later grandkids, she was older, more tired and ill. She was able to do a little bit of babysitting but due to diabetes her eyesight was deteriorating.

Quotes:

 “niks voor of na sy tyd nie”

“Kinders is nie stout nie. Stout is dagga roek en wyn drink.”