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PERSONALITY PROFILE
EBRAHIM "CHICKA" GARDA
Ebrahim Garda, also known as Chicka, is one of Fordsburg’s esteemed personalities. He hails from the heyday of Fietas and is an astute narrator of the area’s history and a storyteller of note. He has wowed us here at fordsburg.com with his memory of minute details and has warmed us with his humility and world knowledge.
He was born on 30 January 1942 to a family of eight brothers and sister. While his brothers showed an avid interest in sport, Ebrahim was more of an intellectual. He attended high school at the Johannesburg Indian High School, where he nurtured a growing interest in international politics. He later attended the Language Academy in Johannesburg where he studied English and radio speech techniques. He had been inspired by BBC radio to work in radio, and at the age of eleven he had already been able to mimic presenters on Voice of America, Springbok Radio and All India Radio.
In 1960 while still in high school, he was approached by Mr. MS Laher of the Islamic Missionary Society who felt he could be of great service. Mr Garda subsequently delivered his first lecture on behalf of the society on the occasion of 12th Rabi ul Awwal,.
Mr Garda is best known for his invaluable role in negotiating trading conditions for Fietas traders in the Plaza. He had been the Secretary of the Pageview Chamber of Commerce, and has kept a record off all correspondence between the Chamber of Commerce and the Johannesburg City Council and also, the Department of Community
Development. Mr. Yusuf Bhamjee, local businessman and former member of the Plaza board of trustees, spoke highly of Mr. Garda and stressed the significance of Mr Garda’s role in the community’s struggle to secure ownership of the Plaza. In the late 80s, during negotiations between the Plaza traders and the Department of Community Development, a document that Mr Garda had in his possession, dating from his tenure as Secretary of the Pageview Chamber of Commerce was pivotal in swaying the government toward selling out to the Plaza traders.
Mr. Garda, fordsburg.com salutes you!
Profile by Khadija Patel
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