Fuad Emeran 1943

I was born 6 August 1943 at our house in Sachs Street, BoKaap. I was the 2^nd youngest son of Gamiedoen & Zubeida Emeran.

My earliest memory is from age 5: I remember going next door to Sisi and playing with her children :  Lungi, Sipho and Velile.

I played lots of games outside like hide and seek, cricket and soccer.  I also had a wooden cart, that was my favourite toy, which my dad made.

During WW2, I remember my mother sending me to the army trucks to collect our food packs.

My parents were very understanding and I had a good relationship with them.

Dad’s parents had  passed away already, so I mostly saw my mom’s family.

My mom enjoyed making sosati and she would bake cakes for our birthdays.

We had a very busy household, with lots of people popping in. We rented two sections of the house. I shared a room with my brothers. We would have the usual sibling squabbles. I was good child, but I often teased my sisters.

I attended Schotcheskloof Primary school then St Paul’s Primary School. I walked to school.

When teachers would have a staff meeting, I would play hide and seek with my friends and stay away! I would sometimes play the organ at church for hymn singing. A lady from the church, Mrs Hendricks taught me. I always played the note G, so I was given the nickname “G”.

I attended Trafalgar High School and studied English, Afrikaans, Maths, Woodwork, Biology and Chemistry. In stardard 6 & 7, I got the highest marks in Mathematics.

I was very good at running, both long distance and sprinting. At school I played cricket and soccer as well. I was very social and played a lot of cricket. I played for the Victorians cricket club.

I enjoyed hiking in the mountains. I went mostly with friends. We would either hike up Table mountain or Lions Head. I would watch movies at the Alabama Movie house. My favourite was Tarzan. I enjoyed reading murder/crime books. I liked JamesHadley Chase novels.

Fashion trends of my era were hippie styles, lots of denim bell bottoms and large hats.

I left school in standard 8 and started apprentice in carpentry, I had to work to help provide for my family.  My first job was as a cabinet maker/joiner – I got paid R7,50 a week.

The first car I bought was a Ford which I bought at age 22/23.

I worked on a cargo boat on sea as a carpenter. As a result I  travelled all over the world : Europe, Asia, North and South America. I also visited my sister, Nabeweya in London. While in London, I met our neighbor Timmie Boraan, she was a teacher.

London was my favourite city. I enjoyed the wax museum and seeing Buckingham palace.

I found Japan the most interesting place I travelled to. I bought a tv there and brought it home. We were the first to own a tv.

While travelling I hardly ate meat, mostly vegetarian meals as there wasn’t much halaal in Europe. The food in India was nice but very strong. I met lots of people while travelling and saw all walks of life.

Later I worked in Saudi Arabia for 4 years as well as in Kuwait. I worked as a handy man and did some carpentry work.

I was against the Government’s Apartheid policy, so I enjoyed working overseas and being away from it all.

I was 36 when I met Amina Allom. (25 May 1950 - 25 October 2004)

Soraya, who was married to my friend Hiemie, noticed Amina on the train every day. Amina would always be reciting surahs on the train. I had just returned from Saudi and Soraya thought we would be a good fit, so she arranged a blind date. I was attracted to her personality and good nature.

I got married at age 38 and we lived in a separate entrance at Nabeweyah’s house at21 Premier Road, Walmer Estate. Amina & I liked going to movies and Aneesah’s take aways.

We made ends meet, some good months and some a struggle, but we were always happy and grateful for our lives.

Children :

Jihada  (stillborn) - 23 December 1984
Zubaydah – 17 May 1985

Sadiq & Kamaal (Kamaal was stillborn) –  2 March 1987