History Parajiya Pattni Sonis in S. Africa

By Bob Narandas, Chairman, Kathiawar Pattani Soni Association

Our Pattni Samaj in Durban is over 50 years old. It was formed by our elders; the first chairman was Shree Mohanlal Valjee Dhanak (uncle of Girdharbhai D. Valjee - Softy). Girdharbhai was in the UK for many years but is now residing in Durban.

There are about 125 Pattni families in Durban. Most of the younger generation has moved to Johannesburg and abroad to Australia and UK. We do not have any old photos of committee members but I may have some photos going back about 40 odd years of the Navratri celebrations and some 8mm movies taken by my late father when Shri Damjibhai Devji visited Durban and videos of the Navratri celebrations organised by the Pattani Social Club.

The Kendra was formed about 16 years ago when the need arose to unite the Gujarati community under one banner. Before that the Gujarati's were split - the Kathiawadi's (Pattanis, Lohanas, Vanias  and the Surti Community (Motchi, Ghanchi Darji and Prajapati's. The whole project cost about seven million dollars.

see article - Hinduism Today - Gujarati orgnisations – Durban South Africa.

Our family has settled here in South Africa since 1896. My grandfather, Valabdass Kanthard and his cousin Raghavjee Mamiya came to Durban from Navagam via Kalavad (Jamnagar district). Others from the same village settled in Kampala, Uganda were Shri Bhanjibhai Dosa, Chitranjan's father (currently in Leicester) and Shree Gokaldas, father of Late Praful Pattni of Leicester.

My faiba Manifai was the grandmother of Jaisukhbhai Virji Ratanshi of Leicester. the first Pattni to come to settle in South Arfica was Shree Chagan Trikam in about 1889. He was the grandfather of Laxmanbhai Popat whose Mama is Hiralal Naran who lives in London.

I am also involved in a lot of cultural activities in Durban.

• 1 chairman of Kathiawar Pattani Soni Association
• Founder member and trustee of Gujarati Hindu Sanskruti Kendra, Durban
• Life member of Vishwa Gujarati Parishad
• Life Member World Hindu Federation, Treasurer
• Exco member first World Hindu Conference in S. Africa and have studied comparative religion Hinduism Christianity & Islam

I am compiling a list of all Pattnis who settled in South Africa as merchant traders to trade with the indentured labourers on the sugarcane fields. Next year we will be celebrating 150 years of the arrival of the first batch of Indians who arrived in South Africa. One family whom I am married in - the Harilal Nathoo family who settled in Durban in 1906  still keep contact with the family of late Surendra Vallabhdas of Wembley.

There must be many Pattnis in UK who may have lost contact with their families between UK and South Africa. I will be only too pleased to help if anybody wishes to know about their contacts in South Africa.

With best wishes

Bob Narandas

Senior Citizens in South Africa (Just an estimate)

Maniben Dwarkadass Ojamben Valjee Maniben Gordhan Jayaben Popat Nandooben Soni Jumkhooben Harilal Santokben Premji Manharben Narandas Santokben Kathard Shanthiben Hirjee Tansuthaben Nathoo Santhaben Kathard

Mohanlallbhai Purshotam Maganlal Premji Laxmanbhai Popat Amrathlalbhai Kara Natvarlalbhai Harilall Dharamseebhai Ramjee Shantilalbhai Soni Ramjeebhai Hirjee Naran Amrathlallbhai Soni Girdhalallbhai Valjee Natvarbhai Bhimjee Chandubhai Sunderjee