Karolia family legacy continues in Actonville
The family featured in the Benoni City Times (BCT) several years ago, so for our 100th birthday, we caught up with some of them about their history.
The Karolia family was one of the first families to move to Actonville in 1971 and despite their forced move due to the Group Areas Act, the following generations of the family chose to stay in Actonville.
The family featured in the Benoni City Times (BCT) several years ago, so for our 100th birthday, we caught up with some of them about their history.
“The family moved from Van Ryn to Actonville and were followed by other family members from Putfontein, Brentwood Park and Petit,” they said.
According to the family, the late Fakir Amojee, Fatima Karolia and their children were the first to move to Actonville.
“The late Ahmed Amojee Karolia was a member of the Actonville Council and had been one of the pioneers of Benoni, and the late Fakir Amojee Karolia being one of the first families to move to Actonville was the reason Karolia Street was named after them.”
The family told the City Times that Fakir Amojee Karolia moved first and thereafter his brothers. They were followed by the Hajat, Loonat, Seedat, Mayet, Sibda, Kara, Wadia, Delairs, Ghanchi and Laher families, and many more moved to Actonville and also have streets named after them.
The Karolia family had their business, Karolia Trading Store in Cloverdene, while the majority still had their businesses in Putfontein and travelled from Actonville to their businesses.
They also shared that at the time of the first Karolia residents in Actonville, the suburb only had the following amenities: general dealers on Mayet Drive (one being the shop of the late Essop Amod Karolia), William Hills High School, doctor’s rooms of the late Dr Mia, Actonville Jaame Masjid and a clinic.
“Some of the families remained in Actonville to date because of family, traditions established in the town and the united diversity of different cultures where friends become families of different races and cultures,” the family said.
When asked if the family still reads the City Times, they said, “Yes, most definitely! Everyone eagerly awaits to get their copy on a Thursday – from the young to the old – also getting extra copies so family and friends who didn’t receive a copy can get them.
“The City Times has been in our homes from generation to generation.”
The Karolia have kept the article the City Times published about their forefathers to show the future generations.
“Thank you, Benoni City Times for being part of our homes, bringing us the best local news, entertainment specials, for looking forward to receiving the newspaper and for bringing friends and families together. We appreciate the entire team,” they said, wishing the newspaper well for its 100th birthday year.
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