Oldest business in Obs turns 102

ONE hundred and two years later and the oldest business in Observatory is still open and ready for business.
Himat Makanjee Parag, 73, has been the owner of Makanjee's shoe store since he was 12 years old. He took over the business, Corner Rochester and Robins Road, when his brother died at 29 years old in 1951.
His family is originally from India, but emigrated to Durban when his father moved down to Stanger. After their father died in Durban, their uncle who owned Makanjee's called them down as they were destitute in Durban, and they then started working for him. His brother later took over the store after the death of his uncle.
Himat was born in the Mekanjee's home in Obs and he says that when they started the shop, it was one quarter of the size that it is now.
He said that he was forced to take over the shop at 12 when his brother died because there was no one else. He tells how he struggled to keep the shop afloat. Because he couldn’t drive, he lost many clients in the Goodwood area to which his brother used to deliver. He also had to divide his attention between the shop and his school work, which he continued till grade eight.
In 1964, at the age of 21, Himat got married and later became a father of five sons and one daughter.
Himat proudly tells of their success. They count among them an eye specialist, a SARS manager, an attorney, and recently his son Raj was appointed CEO of FNB Wealth. Himat said that he never had the chance to better his education, "it was maybe not for me...I never had it, so I gave it to my children".
Before, Makanjee's only repaired shoes, but now they sell shirts, ties, shoes as well.
Himat said that business is slow and that it used to be good, but with all the boutiques and factory shops starting in the area, as well as the recession, his business has taken a knock, but he says that he still has a fair amount of clients.