The single Indian businessman in Hermanus

Writer: Dr Robin Lee.

As far as I can tell from my research, there was only one businessperson of colour who is mentioned in the various historical accounts. SJ du Toit mentions him twice, but both references are records of memories of old residents of the town.

Pagel’s Circus was a national institution in South Africa during the early 1900s, often visiting towns, including Hermanus.

The first memory comes from Philip Reginald van Dyk, born 1919, who was the son of the famous 'Skipper' van Dyk, one of the generation of expert 'captains' of fishing boats in the early 20th century. Philip was also known as 'Skipper', although he worked all his life as a hairdresser. In the interview with SJ du Toit, he recalls simply: I remember old Dhia, the Indian hawker, who sold vegetables and fruit in a little, two-wheel cart with a canopy.

The Princess Dock in Bombay, India, circa 1870. Goopal Doolabh travelled from here by ship to Cape Town in 1876.

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