Amod Cassimjee Explained

Amod Cassimjee
Birth Name:Amod Cassimjee
Birth Date:1871
Birth Place:Surat, India
Death Date:16 May 1951 (aged 80)
Resting Place:Mountain Rise Cemetery, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Nationality:Indian
Known For:Businessman, Industrialist
Occupation:Businessman
Spouse:
  • Ayesha Cassimjee
  • Hawa Bibi Cassimjee
Children:Ismail Amod Cassimjee
Khatija Cassimjee
Fathima Cassimjee
Ayesha Cassimjee

Amod Cassimjee was born and educated in Surat, India. He arrived in South Africa in 1895 and settled in Pietermaritzburg.[1] [2]

Business

He joined his brother Suleman, trading as Suleman Cassimjee & Co. for a few years. Amod then established his first business in Kranskop. Amod later returned to Pietermaritzburg and entered into partnership as Amod Mahomed & Co. The partnership was dissolved in 1913 and Amod Cassimjee assumed his sole ownership of the business and traded under his own name. It was one of the best known firms in Upper Church Street in the African trade with a European department boasting a large clientele. Also entered the Shoe Manufacturing Field. One of the most colourful personalities in the City and popularly known by a wide African custom as "Khandalemvu". He was interested in all Indian activities and as a Grand Old man laid the foundation stone of the Mohammedian Oriental School. Attached to the Upper Church Street Mosque.Amod and Suleman Cassimjee formed a company called Suleman Cassimjee & Co. The business was started in Winterton, Kwa-Zulu Natal. Mahomed Cassimjee and Amod joined their brother in the company Suleman Cassimjee & Co. for a few years.[1] [3] [4]

Personal and community leadership

Amod Cassimjee was keenly interested in the welfare of the Muslims as well as the Indian community as a whole. He laid the foundation for the establishment of the Muhammadan Oriental School (now Government-aided). He was ever prepared to assist all movements directed for the good of the community.[5]

Death

Amod Cassimjee died on 16 May 1951 at the age of 80. He was buried in the Mountain Rise Cemetery in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: South African Who's Who 1936. 19 April 2011.
  2. Web site: Southern Africa Indian Who's Who 1971-2 . 1 June 2013.
  3. Web site: Natal Museum, Pietermaritzburg. 19 April 2011.
  4. Web site: Shantee Falls hopelessly in Love. 19 April 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20120113082013/http://www.avovision.co.za/2007/11/13/classrooms-in-the-shade-shanthee-falls-hopelessly-in-love. 13 January 2012. dead. dmy-all.
  5. Book: South African Who's who 1940. 19 April 2011.