Welcome to Muizenberg :
South Africa's premier holiday resort
by Dr. Mervyn Rosenberg © 2010
It is the turn of the century, it is summer - it is the holiday season, Muizenberg at its best.
The village of Muizenberg is inundated with visitors from the Transvaal – the wealthy – the mining magnates – Cecil John Rhodes, Sammy Marks, Sir Abe Bailey, and the Oppenheimers to name but a few. All of them have built holiday "cottages". Actually, they are mansions – some of which have been designed by Sir Herbert Baker, who also spends his summers in Muizenberg. Bathing boxes have also been built on the beach front.
The men stroll and discuss business and the women sit on the beach dressed in the high fashions of the time. Children are playing at the waters edge, fishing and sailing toy boats on the vlei.
Olive Shreiner is also a regular visitor as is Rudyard Kipling the poet, who wrote a poem about Muizenberg ...
"White as the sand of Muizenberg
Spun before the Gale"
The locals in the village are going about their business. They need to sustain themselves for the off-season. Frikkie Auret is selling fresh fish – which has just been trekked. His wife runs the dairy, and on the Main Road near the railway station, is John Brown's General Dealer shop.
Many hotels have sprung up in the area - The Marine, The Park, and Farmer Pecks is now called The Grand Hotel. Farmer Pecks is a remnant of the past when Muizenberg was a half-way house to Simons Town.
We move to the 1920's. It is summer. Muizenberg has changed, it is no longer a little village but a growing town, albeit a suburb. It is the swinging 20s, the people now wear fashionable bathing costumes to the beach.
The old hotels are BUZZING and new hotels have sprung up. The big names – the Oppenheimers, the Schlesingers, Sir J.B. Robinson, etc., are still coming to Muizenberg to their holiday homes. Other dignitaries are staying at the new and very posh and modern Muizenberg hotels.
There is a wooden pavilion. There is plenty to do in Muizenberg, dances at night in the hotels, a bandstand next to the pavilion. Surfing has taken off – long 6ft wooden surfboards. Muizenberg is probably where surfing originated in South Africa. Muizenberg in spite of this huge growth and influx of people, has still retained its village atmosphere and character: the local inhabitants are a very close knit community.
The wooden pavilion built in 1911 was demolished in 1929. At the same time the new pavilion was completed. For a while both pavilions stood together, the wooden pavilion was closer to the mountain. The new pavilion was spectacular, an architectural masterpiece designed by Grant: a grand reception hall with seating for 900 people, restaurants, a milk bar. It had everything! A promenade that had been designed in such a way that together with the pavilion and the bathing boxes, a wind free beach was created – the Snakepit.
We move to the late Thirties, Forty's and Fifties – we move to MY MUIZENBERG. There has been a huge influx of Eastern European Jews, There are approximately 600 Jewish families. The local industry, schools and hotels are largely sustained by this community. A magnificent synagogue had been built in 1924, the synagogue is not big enough for the High festivals and summer holidays and an overflow is needed – The Talmud Torah Hall. Even then, there is very often only standing room.
The services are led by Rabbi Weinberg, Cantor Goldwasser, and the Reverend Frank. Who can ever forget Reverend Frank striding down to the beach in his striped dressing gown at six in the morning to swim. He continued to do this every day until he died, no matter what the weather. The Shamash is Mr. Brooks.
There is a Choir that practises every Tuesday night: the choir master is Bennie Galansky. Mrs Goldwasser gives us freshly baked sponge cake and Oros for Tea. Our remuneration for singing in the Shul Choir is one Guinea per year. The Cheder teachers are Mr and Mrs Smolensky and Miss Singer. There are 9 classes every afternoon, i.e. 3x3.
It is the 50s – the Snakepit is the beach for teenagers. Parents are supposed to go to the other beaches such as the Balmoral Beach.
It is in the Snakepit that we play touch rugby and bok bok. It is here that many romances start. Many of those romances have resulted in marriages. It is here that we meet the girls and boys from all over the country. Everyone is friendly and having fun. Everybody sits together no matter what the age.
The beach photographer is taking photographs for Movie Snaps. We are rubbing on Brylcream and olive oil for tanning. We are smoking Texan, Lucky Strike and State Express 555. We are making dates for a night out – to the bop floor – to the milky bar and the Vic Davis Show - to Norman’s Café and the Empire Bioscope – and a walk on the promenade – touching the end for good luck.
It is January and the wealthy holiday-makers are in Muizenberg. The butler, wearing his white jacket and red sash, arrives at the beach followed by an entourage of staff bearing platters filled with freshly fried fish or chicken, for the midday meal.
Leibke, the Yiddish speaking fruit vendor, is selling fruit – Leibke – Leibke. If you don't remember him, he will remember you and your family and who your girl or boyfriend was at the time. Leibke's mother was a domestic in a Jewish household in Muizenberg, he grew up speaking Yiddish before he could speak English or Afrikaans. He was as much a part of Jewish Muizenberg as the Rabbi. His actual name is Sidney, but he was renamed Leibke due to his stature as an honorary Jew. To this day he never fails to phone me on any of the Yom Tavim. His only regret, he said, is that he was not put into the Jewish old age home at Highlands House.
The Empire bioscope: the manager Mr. Philips always wore a tuxedo and black bow tie, whether it was a matinee, Saturday morning double feature or Saturday evening show. On Saturday nights we wore a jacket and a tie.
The Cafes - The Muizenberg of my day did not have restaurants but honest and unpretentious cafes. After bioscope, we would stop off at Norman's Café for a hotdog or hamburger. Between the Empire and Norman's café was the Maccabi Café, owned by Tex. The Maccabi café was the first cinema and was renowned for its pinball machines. It was the hangout for the local ducktails. The adults went to the Majestic Café.
Palmer Road was the business centre of Muizenberg. Mr Schneider was the kosher butcher in Palmer Road. The floor was covered in fresh sawdust. He was able to "Treibe" a hindquarter, i.e. he would remove the vein and the hindquarter would become kosher. Mr Schneider deserved a medal for putting up with my mother and all the other wives. His delivery man rode up and down all day long on his bicycle, delivering meat and returning to exchange it for some real or imaginary deficiency in the order. Both Mr Schneider and the delivery man now occupy a very special place in heaven.
Then there were the Traplers and Mrs Schneider who made fresh bagels, the Zives who sold fish, the Levinsteins poultry and eggs. Mr Brint, a deaf mute, was the shoemaker and an absolute whiz on the races. There were two dairies in Palmer Road, the Millers and Mr Stoch. Mr Stoch delivered his own milk on a bicycle. There was also a third dairy in York Rd.
We bought vegetables and fruit from Mr Raad on the Main Rd or Mr Gallias in York Road. Just down the road was Kents, where you could buy anything. James Morom on the Main Rd sold everything from a pencil to paint. School uniforms were bought from Dankers.
Who can forget the beef on rye from Irene Sack's delicatessen!
There were three pharmacies in Muizenberg – Shagams, Reichlins and Max Rosenberg. The doctors in the area to name but a few were Henson, Gordon, Shapiro, Novis, Blumenthal and Kriegler. The dentists were Henderson, Viljoen and Eisman. Before school we all used to go down to the beach to swim, with a cake of soap and take shower.
I can remember the trekking of fish early in the morning, and my dad taking home fresh harders which my mother grilled for breakfast. In those days one could get fresh Galjoen, Hardes, Hottentot and many more varieties of fish. I can remember the fish cart - the horn blowing announcing their fresh wares. We had an unspoilt and uncomplicated childhood
I lived in Yarmouth Road. On the corner was the boathouse, where the 2nd Muizenberg Jewish Scout movement held its meetings.
If you walked down Yarmouth Road you would pass the homes of Embdin, Singer, Loon, Marcus, Frank, Coleman, Chaits, Glazer, Kaye, Hope, the Luries, Michael Lockitch, Lazarus, Kushner, Miller, Shapiro and Oblowitz. At the bottom of Yarmouth Road lived Gus Levine, one of the characters of Muizenberg. He taught us how to play Beach Bats. Behind me lived the Kastans, Dermans, Silbersteins, Garbs, Blumenthals, Apters, Musikanths and many more. We were all friends - we still are all friends and still see each other regularly.
My memories of Muizenberg are of a very happy time of a very close community, a big family, of relationships that last to this very day. It is difficult to describe this close relationship to anyone who did not grow up in Muizenberg. Muizenberg was so not because of Muizenberg, but because of the people that lived there and the holidaymakers, the camaraderie and love that existed between us, the relationships that were built and still last. It was not a wealthy community: our parents were generally first generation South Africans. But it was a rich community, rich with love and respect.
We felt blessed – we were living 365 days a year in this special place, a place that existed because of a set of circumstances that came together, and will never come together again. A holiday resort built by the British Empire and a set of Eastern European immigrants who were arriving in a new country, and who adopted this holiday resort even as the colonials abandoned it and remoulded it to their image. But these people are all gone, as are all the aspects that made my youth so wonderful.
"We have the berg
We have the lake
The surf and endless sand"
We have all those memories of a wonderful childhood, of a wonderful loving and caring community and of bonds that have lasted forever.
Welcome to Muizenberg :
South Africa's premier holiday resort
by Dr. Mervyn Rosenberg © 2010
It is the turn of the century, it is summer - it is the holiday season, Muizenberg at its best.
The village of Muizenberg is inundated with visitors from the Transvaal – the wealthy – the mining magnates – Cecil John Rhodes, Sammy Marks, Sir Abe Bailey, and the Oppenheimers to name but a few. All of them have built holiday "cottages". Actually, they are mansions – some of which have been designed by Sir Herbert Baker, who also spends his summers in Muizenberg. Bathing boxes have also been built on the beach front.
The men stroll and discuss business and the women sit on the beach dressed in the high fashions of the time. Children are playing at the waters edge, fishing and sailing toy boats on the vlei.
Olive Shreiner is also a regular visitor as is Rudyard Kipling the poet, who wrote a poem about Muizenberg ...
"White as the sand of Muizenberg
Spun before the Gale"
The locals in the village are going about their business. They need to sustain themselves for the off-season. Frikkie Auret is selling fresh fish – which has just been trekked. His wife runs the dairy, and on the Main Road near the railway station, is John Brown's General Dealer shop.
Many hotels have sprung up in the area - The Marine, The Park, and Farmer Pecks is now called The Grand Hotel. Farmer Pecks is a remnant of the past when Muizenberg was a half-way house to Simons Town.
We move to the 1920's. It is summer. Muizenberg has changed, it is no longer a little village but a growing town, albeit a suburb. It is the swinging 20s, the people now wear fashionable bathing costumes to the beach.
The old hotels are BUZZING and new hotels have sprung up. The big names – the Oppenheimers, the Schlesingers, Sir J.B. Robinson, etc., are still coming to Muizenberg to their holiday homes. Other dignitaries are staying at the new and very posh and modern Muizenberg hotels.
There is a wooden pavilion. There is plenty to do in Muizenberg, dances at night in the hotels, a bandstand next to the pavilion. Surfing has taken off – long 6ft wooden surfboards. Muizenberg is probably where surfing originated in South Africa. Muizenberg in spite of this huge growth and influx of people, has still retained its village atmosphere and character: the local inhabitants are a very close knit community.
The wooden pavilion built in 1911 was demolished in 1929. At the same time the new pavilion was completed. For a while both pavilions stood together, the wooden pavilion was closer to the mountain. The new pavilion was spectacular, an architectural masterpiece designed by Grant: a grand reception hall with seating for 900 people, restaurants, a milk bar. It had everything! A promenade that had been designed in such a way that together with the pavilion and the bathing boxes, a wind free beach was created – the Snakepit.
We move to the late Thirties, Forty's and Fifties – we move to MY MUIZENBERG. There has been a huge influx of Eastern European Jews, There are approximately 600 Jewish families. The local industry, schools and hotels are largely sustained by this community. A magnificent synagogue had been built in 1924, the synagogue is not big enough for the High festivals and summer holidays and an overflow is needed – The Talmud Torah Hall. Even then, there is very often only standing room.
The services are led by Rabbi Weinberg, Cantor Goldwasser, and the Reverend Frank. Who can ever forget Reverend Frank striding down to the beach in his striped dressing gown at six in the morning to swim. He continued to do this every day until he died, no matter what the weather. The Shamash is Mr. Brooks.
There is a Choir that practises every Tuesday night: the choir master is Bennie Galansky. Mrs Goldwasser gives us freshly baked sponge cake and Oros for Tea. Our remuneration for singing in the Shul Choir is one Guinea per year. The Cheder teachers are Mr and Mrs Smolensky and Miss Singer. There are 9 classes every afternoon, i.e. 3x3.
It is the 50s – the Snakepit is the beach for teenagers. Parents are supposed to go to the other beaches such as the Balmoral Beach.
It is in the Snakepit that we play touch rugby and bok bok. It is here that many romances start. Many of those romances have resulted in marriages. It is here that we meet the girls and boys from all over the country. Everyone is friendly and having fun. Everybody sits together no matter what the age.
The beach photographer is taking photographs for Movie Snaps. We are rubbing on Brylcream and olive oil for tanning. We are smoking Texan, Lucky Strike and State Express 555. We are making dates for a night out – to the bop floor – to the milky bar and the Vic Davis Show - to Norman’s Café and the Empire Bioscope – and a walk on the promenade – touching the end for good luck.
It is January and the wealthy holiday-makers are in Muizenberg. The butler, wearing his white jacket and red sash, arrives at the beach followed by an entourage of staff bearing platters filled with freshly fried fish or chicken, for the midday meal.
Leibke, the Yiddish speaking fruit vendor, is selling fruit – Leibke – Leibke. If you don't remember him, he will remember you and your family and who your girl or boyfriend was at the time. Leibke's mother was a domestic in a Jewish household in Muizenberg, he grew up speaking Yiddish before he could speak English or Afrikaans. He was as much a part of Jewish Muizenberg as the Rabbi. His actual name is Sidney, but he was renamed Leibke due to his stature as an honorary Jew. To this day he never fails to phone me on any of the Yom Tavim. His only regret, he said, is that he was not put into the Jewish old age home at Highlands House.
The Empire bioscope: the manager Mr. Philips always wore a tuxedo and black bow tie, whether it was a matinee, Saturday morning double feature or Saturday evening show. On Saturday nights we wore a jacket and a tie.
The Cafes - The Muizenberg of my day did not have restaurants but honest and unpretentious cafes. After bioscope, we would stop off at Norman's Café for a hotdog or hamburger. Between the Empire and Norman's café was the Maccabi Café, owned by Tex. The Maccabi café was the first cinema and was renowned for its pinball machines. It was the hangout for the local ducktails. The adults went to the Majestic Café.
Palmer Road was the business centre of Muizenberg. Mr Schneider was the kosher butcher in Palmer Road. The floor was covered in fresh sawdust. He was able to "Treibe" a hindquarter, i.e. he would remove the vein and the hindquarter would become kosher. Mr Schneider deserved a medal for putting up with my mother and all the other wives. His delivery man rode up and down all day long on his bicycle, delivering meat and returning to exchange it for some real or imaginary deficiency in the order. Both Mr Schneider and the delivery man now occupy a very special place in heaven.
Then there were the Traplers and Mrs Schneider who made fresh bagels, the Zives who sold fish, the Levinsteins poultry and eggs. Mr Brint, a deaf mute, was the shoemaker and an absolute whiz on the races. There were two dairies in Palmer Road, the Millers and Mr Stoch. Mr Stoch delivered his own milk on a bicycle. There was also a third dairy in York Rd.
We bought vegetables and fruit from Mr Raad on the Main Rd or Mr Gallias in York Road. Just down the road was Kents, where you could buy anything. James Morom on the Main Rd sold everything from a pencil to paint. School uniforms were bought from Dankers.
Who can forget the beef on rye from Irene Sack's delicatessen!
There were three pharmacies in Muizenberg – Shagams, Reichlins and Max Rosenberg. The doctors in the area to name but a few were Henson, Gordon, Shapiro, Novis, Blumenthal and Kriegler. The dentists were Henderson, Viljoen and Eisman. Before school we all used to go down to the beach to swim, with a cake of soap and take shower.
I can remember the trekking of fish early in the morning, and my dad taking home fresh harders which my mother grilled for breakfast. In those days one could get fresh Galjoen, Hardes, Hottentot and many more varieties of fish. I can remember the fish cart - the horn blowing announcing their fresh wares. We had an unspoilt and uncomplicated childhood
I lived in Yarmouth Road. On the corner was the boathouse, where the 2nd Muizenberg Jewish Scout movement held its meetings.
If you walked down Yarmouth Road you would pass the homes of Embdin, Singer, Loon, Marcus, Frank, Coleman, Chaits, Glazer, Kaye, Hope, the Luries, Michael Lockitch, Lazarus, Kushner, Miller, Shapiro and Oblowitz. At the bottom of Yarmouth Road lived Gus Levine, one of the characters of Muizenberg. He taught us how to play Beach Bats. Behind me lived the Kastans, Dermans, Silbersteins, Garbs, Blumenthals, Apters, Musikanths and many more. We were all friends - we still are all friends and still see each other regularly.
My memories of Muizenberg are of a very happy time of a very close community, a big family, of relationships that last to this very day. It is difficult to describe this close relationship to anyone who did not grow up in Muizenberg. Muizenberg was so not because of Muizenberg, but because of the people that lived there and the holidaymakers, the camaraderie and love that existed between us, the relationships that were built and still last. It was not a wealthy community: our parents were generally first generation South Africans. But it was a rich community, rich with love and respect.
We felt blessed – we were living 365 days a year in this special place, a place that existed because of a set of circumstances that came together, and will never come together again. A holiday resort built by the British Empire and a set of Eastern European immigrants who were arriving in a new country, and who adopted this holiday resort even as the colonials abandoned it and remoulded it to their image. But these people are all gone, as are all the aspects that made my youth so wonderful.
"We have the berg
We have the lake
The surf and endless sand"
We have all those memories of a wonderful childhood, of a wonderful loving and caring community and of bonds that have lasted forever.
HERZLIA ALUMNI ASSOC NEWSLETTER INTERVIEW WITH WARREN KAIMOWITZ
Foundation Advisory Council Chair Warren Kaimowitz (Class of 1991)
Tell us a little about your community involvement.
My first involvement in the community was in 1999, when I became a volunteer in the CSO (Community Security Organization). Soon after, I became involved on the management committee, and then its executive until 2008. I was involved with the CSO for nearly 11 years in all. During that same period, I also became a volunteer for YAD, the Young Adults Division of the United Jewish Campaign, the umbrella fundraising arm of the Cape Town Jewish Community. In 2007 I became Chairman of YAD for 2 years and sat on the Executive Committee of the UJC itself from 2007 to 2011.
My involvement in Herzlia started soon after my daughter started school. In 2006 I joined the Herzlia Works and Facilities Sub-Committee which I later chaired. I was elected onto the UHS Committee in 2010, and currently sit on the Management Committee as Vice-Chair. In May this year I also became Chairman of the Herzlia Foundation Advisory Council.
Even though Herzlia was always close to my heart, I became much more passionate when I became a parent. As parents, we can all make a difference to our children’s education.
I have been very fortunate that my wife, Karen, and kids, Julia and Adam, have been so supportive of my passion for community and have always given me the time and space to be involved.
Where does this passion for involvement in Herzlia stem from?
My father Daryl was involved in the Herzlia school system since my Weizmann Primary days, where he was first on the Weizmann PTA and later on the UHS and its Executive Committee. His involvement throughout our schooling had a big impact on my brother, Rael and myself. We were always so proud of him and his contribution. I think that was what moulded us and inspired our own enthusiasm for the community. My mother Elly-Joy was a foundation phase teacher at Weizmann for many years and was also on the Alon Ashel PTA during our time there. So we were very much entrenched in the school community. My wife, Karen is a teacher and has been involved within Herzlia as a Foundation Phase teacher, as well as a Special Needs and Remedial therapist. She is also involved with the Union of Jewish Woman and helps run Kensington Creche. Through both the CSO and the Board of Deputies, my brother Rael has also made his mark on the Cape Town Jewish community.
When we first enrolled Julia at Herzlia, I knew it was just a matter of time before my interest in the management of the school would grow. There are so many personal benefits to being involved. I know what I received as a child from my parents’ involvement, it made me so proud. And it was always something that was important for me to do for my own children. The reward one gets from being hands on in the system is enormous. It has truly enriched my life. We are a community school for our community, and we take the positive input of our stakeholders very seriously. There are so many incredible ways for parents to add value and to contribute positively within our system.
What is your ‘real job?’
I am a Director of our family’s business, Kadimah Print, together with my father and brother. Our family has been in the printing industry for four generations since 1922 when my great-grandfather became a book binder. Today we act as a print management company on behalf of clients both locally and internationally. My main involvement in our business is on the export side where we service various African countries as well as countries as far as Australia. Interestingly enough, many of export clients are educational departments, publishers and aid organisations supporting educational projects.
What are your reflections when looking back at your years at Herzlia?
I went through the Herzlia system from Grade 1 to Matric and attended Alon Ashel, Weizmann, Middle and High school. I quite enjoyed my years spent in school. I was extremely passionate about sport and fortunately excelled in my various disciplines. I was a reasonably good student and enjoyed all aspects of school life. Herzlia gave me an excellent foundation in all Academic, Judaic and Cultural areas. I will always be thankful for the opportunity to attend a school that nurtured my Jewish identity and allowed me the social interactions that enabled me to become the person I am today. The school is a cornerstone of the Jewish community and a fundamental part of Jewish life for everybody here in Cape Town. I am proud to be a Herzlia Alumni.
What are your goals as Chair of the Advisory Council of the Herzlia Foundation?
It was a great opportunity and an honour when I was offered the position as Chair, taking over from Mark Todes who became Chairman of the UHS Committee. I don’t think people realize the vital role the Foundation plays in the ongoing viability of the school. We need to educate and inform our parent body and community as much as possible about the Foundation and its importance to our school and the entire Cape Town Jewish Community. The Foundation helps supports approximately 300 students on remissions/bursaries; it helps support capital building projects on the campuses; and also helps to raise money for academic and educational support.
We need to keep growing the Foundation’s Endowment so that there is less of a burden on the UJC who are responsible for about half of the funding of our annual bursaries granted. Herzlia will be celebrating 75 years in 2015!! I am excited about the 75th Anniversary Campaign we are soon launching as a means to grow the Endowment. It’s a privilege to take on this role as Chairman and follow a line of very respected community leaders. With the support of our great professional staff, alumni, parent body and community, I know the Foundation will grow from strength to strength
Tell us a little about your community involvement.
My first involvement in the community was in 1999, when I became a volunteer in the CSO (Community Security Organization). Soon after, I became involved on the management committee, and then its executive until 2008. I was involved with the CSO for nearly 11 years in all. During that same period, I also became a volunteer for YAD, the Young Adults Division of the United Jewish Campaign, the umbrella fundraising arm of the Cape Town Jewish Community. In 2007 I became Chairman of YAD for 2 years and sat on the Executive Committee of the UJC itself from 2007 to 2011.
My involvement in Herzlia started soon after my daughter started school. In 2006 I joined the Herzlia Works and Facilities Sub-Committee which I later chaired. I was elected onto the UHS Committee in 2010, and currently sit on the Management Committee as Vice-Chair. In May this year I also became Chairman of the Herzlia Foundation Advisory Council.
Even though Herzlia was always close to my heart, I became much more passionate when I became a parent. As parents, we can all make a difference to our children’s education.
I have been very fortunate that my wife, Karen, and kids, Julia and Adam, have been so supportive of my passion for community and have always given me the time and space to be involved.
Where does this passion for involvement in Herzlia stem from?
My father Daryl was involved in the Herzlia school system since my Weizmann Primary days, where he was first on the Weizmann PTA and later on the UHS and its Executive Committee. His involvement throughout our schooling had a big impact on my brother, Rael and myself. We were always so proud of him and his contribution. I think that was what moulded us and inspired our own enthusiasm for the community. My mother Elly-Joy was a foundation phase teacher at Weizmann for many years and was also on the Alon Ashel PTA during our time there. So we were very much entrenched in the school community. My wife, Karen is a teacher and has been involved within Herzlia as a Foundation Phase teacher, as well as a Special Needs and Remedial therapist. She is also involved with the Union of Jewish Woman and helps run Kensington Creche. Through both the CSO and the Board of Deputies, my brother Rael has also made his mark on the Cape Town Jewish community.
When we first enrolled Julia at Herzlia, I knew it was just a matter of time before my interest in the management of the school would grow. There are so many personal benefits to being involved. I know what I received as a child from my parents’ involvement, it made me so proud. And it was always something that was important for me to do for my own children. The reward one gets from being hands on in the system is enormous. It has truly enriched my life. We are a community school for our community, and we take the positive input of our stakeholders very seriously. There are so many incredible ways for parents to add value and to contribute positively within our system.
What is your ‘real job?’
I am a Director of our family’s business, Kadimah Print, together with my father and brother. Our family has been in the printing industry for four generations since 1922 when my great-grandfather became a book binder. Today we act as a print management company on behalf of clients both locally and internationally. My main involvement in our business is on the export side where we service various African countries as well as countries as far as Australia. Interestingly enough, many of export clients are educational departments, publishers and aid organisations supporting educational projects.
What are your reflections when looking back at your years at Herzlia?
I went through the Herzlia system from Grade 1 to Matric and attended Alon Ashel, Weizmann, Middle and High school. I quite enjoyed my years spent in school. I was extremely passionate about sport and fortunately excelled in my various disciplines. I was a reasonably good student and enjoyed all aspects of school life. Herzlia gave me an excellent foundation in all Academic, Judaic and Cultural areas. I will always be thankful for the opportunity to attend a school that nurtured my Jewish identity and allowed me the social interactions that enabled me to become the person I am today. The school is a cornerstone of the Jewish community and a fundamental part of Jewish life for everybody here in Cape Town. I am proud to be a Herzlia Alumni.
What are your goals as Chair of the Advisory Council of the Herzlia Foundation?
It was a great opportunity and an honour when I was offered the position as Chair, taking over from Mark Todes who became Chairman of the UHS Committee. I don’t think people realize the vital role the Foundation plays in the ongoing viability of the school. We need to educate and inform our parent body and community as much as possible about the Foundation and its importance to our school and the entire Cape Town Jewish Community. The Foundation helps supports approximately 300 students on remissions/bursaries; it helps support capital building projects on the campuses; and also helps to raise money for academic and educational support.
We need to keep growing the Foundation’s Endowment so that there is less of a burden on the UJC who are responsible for about half of the funding of our annual bursaries granted. Herzlia will be celebrating 75 years in 2015!! I am excited about the 75th Anniversary Campaign we are soon launching as a means to grow the Endowment. It’s a privilege to take on this role as Chairman and follow a line of very respected community leaders. With the support of our great professional staff, alumni, parent body and community, I know the Foundation will grow from strength to strength
Pesach … and 40 years of Gefilte Fish in the City BowlApril 1, 2008
The City Bowl today retains but a remnant of what was once a lebedieke community of Jews, who filled the roads and avenues of Vredehoek, Gardens and Oranjezicht, and packed the pews of the shuls of the area.
While dissipated today, its colourful personalities largely forgotten, one man not even a member of the Jewish community harbours a host of fond memories and insights, and looks back to that era with a smile and a real sense of sadness at its demise.
At the end of this month Fernando Dionisio will be closing the doors of the Gardens Fisheries, some 40 years after his father Alfredo moved from his original premises in Mill Street in October 1967 to this shop where, Fernando recalls his mother Adelina telling him, their first customer was Bennie Diamond's mother.
An hour or so spent one late afternoon chatting to Fernando and listening to his reminiscences over the counter – while intermittently he served the odd customers with the last of the fried fish and chips of the day, generously laced with vinegar and salt was a wonderful trip down the proverbial memory lane, and a terrific appetite stimulus!
Fernando, who had helped his parents in the shop during his schooldays, joined them in February 1970 after completing a year of army service.
Hake was 32 cents a kilo then. Our old cash register couldn't go higher than R4.99! I used to deliver the fish on a bicycle, to Bridle Road and Rugby Road and all over Vredehoek and Oranjezicht, before I got my drivers licence!
So who were your customers? The names just flow and the list goes on and on. Not only does he know their names and addresses. He knows all about what they did for a living, who their children were, who married who, what happened to the families, where those who are still alive are now. Amazing! There were the four Lipschitzes, who he identified by what they did, to avoid mixing them up the car man, the chemist, the lawyer, and Anne Lipschitz from Rocklands Avenue, of course. There was old Mrs Cohen and Mrs Chait we called her Mama very nice people ( my in-laws, by the way). There were the Norries, the Kawalskys, the Trojeskis, the Tworetzys, Mrs Katz from the bakery (no convincing him that her name wasn't Katz!), the Kayes (the Dr), Mrs Meyerowitz, Mrs Kleinberger, Mrs Dickman, Mrs Coscia, Mrs Gottlieb, Mrs Pinn (the wife of the man from the shul)
With virtually every name comes where they lived and all sort of other info and a spot of skinder too. And as we chat more names get added who can not be left out old Mrs Marin (Anthonys grandmother, Mrs Beck (her daughter), the Mosbachs, the Kasimovs, the Lewins (we cant leave out Alfie)
And Cantor Immerman. He used to come into the shop and as customers came in, he would tell them who they were, who their mothers, fathers, sons, daughters were, when they had their barmitzvahs He used to walk from his flat in Rugley Road, up to Ludlow and all the way down Vredehoek Avenue.
People came to Gardens Fisheries from all over the peninsula Camps Bay, Sea Point, Milnerton even Constantia. And we never advertised.
Do you know, says Fernando, in those days the 70s and 80s we used to sell 3 ton of hake a week. Not to mention the kingklip, soles, kabeljou, Cape salmon and red steenbras.
And the Jewish holidays? Oh, then we were very busy. I had to get started at 4 in the morning and work all day preparing the gefilte fish mix hottentot and red roman and silver fish mixed with the hake. There was always plenty available.
Except one year, apparently, there was a bit of a shortage.
There was just enough to go round for everyone for Yomtov. Mrs Katz, from the bakery, came in. She wasnt interested in shortage. She went straight to the cold room, opened the door, took out a fresh fish and walked out saying, You can charge me whatever you want.
Recollections flow.
I remember when it was the day of the fast. The parents would come past on their way to shul and say, If you see my children and they look like theyre going to faint, just give them some chips and Ill pay you tomorrow.
And then, with a sigh, Im going to miss a lot of people.
One time, Fernando remembers, there was a debate on whether kingklip was kosher.
Rabbi Duschinsky came to the shop. He took a fish by the tail and started to scrape. There were very fine scales. Yes, he announced. Its kosher.
All of our raw fish was kosher. Rabbi Maizels came to check. We never sold shellfish. Even today. Do you know that last year, for after the fast, we fried 700 stockfish fingers!
Apparently one of his kosher customers today comes in the morning and switches on his fryer. That makes it all okay. Another kosher customer brings her own knife and board.
But the Jewish custom has diminished, as have the supplies and variety of fish available. Which explains why Fernando has decided to shut up shop.
Today I can only get hake and kingklip. The rest all goes to the hotels, supermarkets and restaurants. Today I have to go to the airport at 5 in the morning to get fish which is brought in by a company from Mossel Bay.
And the customers just a handful. Thank God for those who still support me. Today, for the young, its one-stop shopping Pick n Pay and the supermarkets the Woolies babies, I call them.
I remind him of his reputation as making the best slap chips in town. Yes, your daughter Lisa said that on Cape Talk. And my sales just went up and up.
Well, Fernando has not been alone in achieving his top spot. Gary Cornisch has been my right hand for 28 years. He came to me when he was 16.
Fernando also has a fine family. His wife, Alma, worked with him for years, till, I presume she could no longer look a fish in the eye. Actually she used to do his deliveries, even when she was pregnant. Her final delivery wasnt a fish!
They have three sons, all in fine careers, thanks I would imagine to the proceeds of hake and kingklip and a very hard-working Dad. And one granddaughter of 7 months.
Most considerately Fernando is giving us one last Pesach before he closes shop at the end of April, leaving us regulars to fish in new waters. A major feature in our lives will be no more and we are none of us happy.
And you, Fernando, what will you do now?
I'm going to have a bit of a break and then Ill find something to do. I can not sit at home and do nothing.
Well, after handling the fish needs of the Jewish community for about 40 years, Fernando, you probably do qualify for a break. And perhaps, as you sit in contemplation on a river bank, under a weeping willow with fishing rod in hand you'll think back on a long and happy association with people in whose lives and pots and pans you played a vital if fishy part.
Sounds good, he confides, but I got to tell you, I've never caught a fish in my life!
The City Bowl today retains but a remnant of what was once a lebedieke community of Jews, who filled the roads and avenues of Vredehoek, Gardens and Oranjezicht, and packed the pews of the shuls of the area.
While dissipated today, its colourful personalities largely forgotten, one man not even a member of the Jewish community harbours a host of fond memories and insights, and looks back to that era with a smile and a real sense of sadness at its demise.
At the end of this month Fernando Dionisio will be closing the doors of the Gardens Fisheries, some 40 years after his father Alfredo moved from his original premises in Mill Street in October 1967 to this shop where, Fernando recalls his mother Adelina telling him, their first customer was Bennie Diamond's mother.
An hour or so spent one late afternoon chatting to Fernando and listening to his reminiscences over the counter – while intermittently he served the odd customers with the last of the fried fish and chips of the day, generously laced with vinegar and salt was a wonderful trip down the proverbial memory lane, and a terrific appetite stimulus!
Fernando, who had helped his parents in the shop during his schooldays, joined them in February 1970 after completing a year of army service.
Hake was 32 cents a kilo then. Our old cash register couldn't go higher than R4.99! I used to deliver the fish on a bicycle, to Bridle Road and Rugby Road and all over Vredehoek and Oranjezicht, before I got my drivers licence!
So who were your customers? The names just flow and the list goes on and on. Not only does he know their names and addresses. He knows all about what they did for a living, who their children were, who married who, what happened to the families, where those who are still alive are now. Amazing! There were the four Lipschitzes, who he identified by what they did, to avoid mixing them up the car man, the chemist, the lawyer, and Anne Lipschitz from Rocklands Avenue, of course. There was old Mrs Cohen and Mrs Chait we called her Mama very nice people ( my in-laws, by the way). There were the Norries, the Kawalskys, the Trojeskis, the Tworetzys, Mrs Katz from the bakery (no convincing him that her name wasn't Katz!), the Kayes (the Dr), Mrs Meyerowitz, Mrs Kleinberger, Mrs Dickman, Mrs Coscia, Mrs Gottlieb, Mrs Pinn (the wife of the man from the shul)
With virtually every name comes where they lived and all sort of other info and a spot of skinder too. And as we chat more names get added who can not be left out old Mrs Marin (Anthonys grandmother, Mrs Beck (her daughter), the Mosbachs, the Kasimovs, the Lewins (we cant leave out Alfie)
And Cantor Immerman. He used to come into the shop and as customers came in, he would tell them who they were, who their mothers, fathers, sons, daughters were, when they had their barmitzvahs He used to walk from his flat in Rugley Road, up to Ludlow and all the way down Vredehoek Avenue.
People came to Gardens Fisheries from all over the peninsula Camps Bay, Sea Point, Milnerton even Constantia. And we never advertised.
Do you know, says Fernando, in those days the 70s and 80s we used to sell 3 ton of hake a week. Not to mention the kingklip, soles, kabeljou, Cape salmon and red steenbras.
And the Jewish holidays? Oh, then we were very busy. I had to get started at 4 in the morning and work all day preparing the gefilte fish mix hottentot and red roman and silver fish mixed with the hake. There was always plenty available.
Except one year, apparently, there was a bit of a shortage.
There was just enough to go round for everyone for Yomtov. Mrs Katz, from the bakery, came in. She wasnt interested in shortage. She went straight to the cold room, opened the door, took out a fresh fish and walked out saying, You can charge me whatever you want.
Recollections flow.
I remember when it was the day of the fast. The parents would come past on their way to shul and say, If you see my children and they look like theyre going to faint, just give them some chips and Ill pay you tomorrow.
And then, with a sigh, Im going to miss a lot of people.
One time, Fernando remembers, there was a debate on whether kingklip was kosher.
Rabbi Duschinsky came to the shop. He took a fish by the tail and started to scrape. There were very fine scales. Yes, he announced. Its kosher.
All of our raw fish was kosher. Rabbi Maizels came to check. We never sold shellfish. Even today. Do you know that last year, for after the fast, we fried 700 stockfish fingers!
Apparently one of his kosher customers today comes in the morning and switches on his fryer. That makes it all okay. Another kosher customer brings her own knife and board.
But the Jewish custom has diminished, as have the supplies and variety of fish available. Which explains why Fernando has decided to shut up shop.
Today I can only get hake and kingklip. The rest all goes to the hotels, supermarkets and restaurants. Today I have to go to the airport at 5 in the morning to get fish which is brought in by a company from Mossel Bay.
And the customers just a handful. Thank God for those who still support me. Today, for the young, its one-stop shopping Pick n Pay and the supermarkets the Woolies babies, I call them.
I remind him of his reputation as making the best slap chips in town. Yes, your daughter Lisa said that on Cape Talk. And my sales just went up and up.
Well, Fernando has not been alone in achieving his top spot. Gary Cornisch has been my right hand for 28 years. He came to me when he was 16.
Fernando also has a fine family. His wife, Alma, worked with him for years, till, I presume she could no longer look a fish in the eye. Actually she used to do his deliveries, even when she was pregnant. Her final delivery wasnt a fish!
They have three sons, all in fine careers, thanks I would imagine to the proceeds of hake and kingklip and a very hard-working Dad. And one granddaughter of 7 months.
Most considerately Fernando is giving us one last Pesach before he closes shop at the end of April, leaving us regulars to fish in new waters. A major feature in our lives will be no more and we are none of us happy.
And you, Fernando, what will you do now?
I'm going to have a bit of a break and then Ill find something to do. I can not sit at home and do nothing.
Well, after handling the fish needs of the Jewish community for about 40 years, Fernando, you probably do qualify for a break. And perhaps, as you sit in contemplation on a river bank, under a weeping willow with fishing rod in hand you'll think back on a long and happy association with people in whose lives and pots and pans you played a vital if fishy part.
Sounds good, he confides, but I got to tell you, I've never caught a fish in my life!