Page 77 - KBHA Bulletin 16

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The Kalan Family

Bhaga Kalan was born in India in about 1887, and first appeared in Windsor Road in

1929, when he opened a cobbler and boot repairers in what was then the Schechter
Building (now Bay Motors’ offices). He and his wife and four children were very well

known and liked. (Figs. 2.41 & 2.42.) He performed an invaluable service in an era
when shoes were repaired and reused rather than being thrown away. The Kalan

family converted to Christianity after hearing a preacher from the Bible Institute

talking at an open air meeting at the bottom of Windsor Road. Bhaga Kalan bought
the fishermen’s cottages from Suleman Essop in 1948. Unfortunately he didn’t have

long to enjoy them, dying there the following year. The family stayed on in Kalk Bay

and their shoe repair business was known far and wide. The sons moved out of Kalk
Bay and opened a shoe repair business at Retreat as a result of the Group Areas Act.

The Shanker Family

There was another large family who lived in the front house of the fishermen’s

cottages – the well known Shanker family, who also had a boot and shoe repair

business in the lane behind the New Kings. (Fig. 2.43.)

Gallo Shanker married Nandi Kalan and the couple had seven children all of whom
went to school in Kalk Bay. The family were moved from Kalk Bay by the Group

Areas Act and their son Chagan has a shop – Windsor Shoe Repairs – in Military Rd

Retreat.

The Ferreira Family

The house at 10 Windsor Road was sold by Adams to the Browns, a Latvian Jewish

couple who had a major extension by architect Wilkie Allan of Muizenberg,
completed in 1927. In 1929 the house was bought by Antonio Ferreira. (Fig. 2.44.)

Born in Lisbon in 1864 he and his family were to become very well known in Kalk

Bay over a period of many years. His son Gustave, (Stavie) is mentioned in Tommy
Carse’s book ‘Die Blou Dam’. As a 12 year old he was outside the house in Windsor