The Noor Mohamed Ali Family: A Legacy of Faith, Enterprise, and Perseverance

The story of the Noor Mohamed Ali family begins in the late 19th century with a young merchant’s bold journey from the coastal town of Jodiya in Kathiwar (Saurashtra), India, to the bustling port city of Durban, South Africa. This family saga spans over a century and reflects the broader narrative of Indian immigration to South Africa during the colonial period.

The Patriarch’s Journey

Noormahomed Ali, affectionately known by his childhood nickname “Ali Chikla,” arrived in Durban on April 27, 1882, accompanied by his younger brother Ismail. The nickname “Chikla,” meaning “bandy legs like a chicken,” had stuck from his youth in Jodiya, where friendly banter among friends had given him this endearing moniker. While his brother eventually returned to India, finding South African life unsuitable, Ali chose to make this new land his permanent home.

Noormahomed Ali’s entrepreneurial spirit quickly manifested as he established himself as a general dealer in Durban around 1900. His business acumen led him to expand into the timber trade by 1934, and he later operated the Prince Service Station, demonstrating the adaptability and determination that would become hallmarks of the Ali family legacy. These ventures positioned him as part of the vibrant Indian merchant community that played a crucial role in Durban’s early commercial development.

Building a Family Dynasty

After establishing his business foundation, Noormahomed Ali returned to India to bring his family to South Africa, traveling on one of the monthly steamships that connected Bombay to Durban. This reunion marked the true beginning of the Noor Mohamed Ali family’s South African chapter. Together with his wife, he raised nine children who would each contribute to the family’s expanding influence and community presence.

The Noormahomed Ali family (or Noora Ali Family) became deeply rooted in South African soil while maintaining strong cultural and religious traditions. Each child developed their own family branches, creating a network that spans multiple generations and continues to this day. The family’s growth reflects the broader story of Indian South African communities – maintaining cultural identity while adapting to new circumstances and contributing to the country’s diverse social fabric.

A Living Heritage

The Noora Ali family tree represents more than genealogical connections; it embodies the resilience of immigrant communities who helped build modern South Africa. From Ali’s initial arrival as a young merchant seeking opportunity to the extensive family network that exists today, this lineage demonstrates how individual courage and family bonds can create lasting legacies.

Today, descendants of Noor Mohamed Ali can be found across South Africa and beyond, carrying forward the values of hard work, family loyalty, and community service that their patriarch established over a century ago. Their story continues to evolve, with each generation adding new chapters while honouring the foundation laid by Ali Chikla in those early days in Durban.

The Nine Children of Noor Mohamed Ali:

1. Abdul Gany
2. Halima
3. Vally (VN)
4. Hawa
5. Ebrahim (George)
6. Moosa
7. Joosub (JN)
8. Essa
9. Hanifa (Gigi Fooi)

My great-grandfather in the Who is Who in the 1940s

SA Indian Whos_Who_in 1940