Yusuf Moerat: playing the game
2009-09-16
Faadiel Essop
WHERE did the nickname of ‘Boss’ actually come from?’’ I carefully enquired when visiting Yusuf Moerat (80) recently.
With a chuckle he explains that it was entrenched 55 years ago on his wedding day when one of his workers referred to him as “Boss’’. He was born on 5 November 1928 to parents Abbas and Ruqayyah Moerat, in Van der Lingen Street in the “Ou Tuin’’ area of Paarl. His wife Roudah Latief was born in the same street nearby. The young Yusuf and his family moved around quite a bit, residing in Klein Drakenstein Road, Breda Street, Malherbe Street and then Van der Lingen Street. He vividly recollects that while the Ou Tuin was centred around the two mosques in Breda Street (“boonste masjid’’) and Waterkant Street (“onderste masjid’’), the outer limits of the community stretched as far as the Bo-Paarl (Paarl South) and the “Rug’’ areas (Paarl East), respectively. “Manie Antar lived quite far away in the Bo-Paarl area, while the Jeppie’s also settled here (but much later). Mr Khan, the school principal of the Paarl Muslim School, lived in Templier Street,’’ he says. The Ou Tuin was characterised by several distinguishing traits that ensured a closely knit and intimate community. “People’s relationships with one another were very good,’’ he remarks, “unlike today where neighbours are not always aware of each others’ needs.” Discipline was also readily enforced, i.e. any child could be reprimanded by any adult. This approach may appear dictatorial, but according to Yusuf Moerat it resulted in a “much more respectful younger generation than is generally the case today.’’ He is passionate about sport and indicates that sport played an important role to foster unity within the Muslim community and also to occupy younger people. For example, there was great excitement on Saturday mornings with everyone preparing to go to the “Kraal’’ sportsgrounds (in Jan van Riebeeck Drive) to watch the day’s rugby. He stresses that sport helped to build bridges during the time when two separate Muslim communities existed in the Ou Tuin. “Since we all supported and played for one rugby team (Vineyards) even if we belonged to two different jamaahs, this kept us together at least to some extent,’’ he says. The celebration of moulood (birthday of the Prophet Muhammad*) was another instance that he remembers where there was some cross-interaction. Since the Waterkant Street mosque was well-known for its excellent thikr (melodious chants), some individuals from the Breda Street mosque joined in on some occasions. “The togetherness of the Ou Tuin was remarkable,’’ he recalls. “For example, when someone was about to get married he would appoint a ‘malbut’ to invite the male members of the community to attend.’’ The well-dressed malbut would go from home to home stating he came with “khabr’’ (news) of this great occasion. Subsequently, the bride-to-be and two lady hajji’s (individuals who completed pilgrimage to Mecca) would also go around to invite families to attend the ceremony. They were splendidly dressed in special attire known as “strooimeisie’’ clothes. Since the community was relatively small the whole town was usually invited to this wonderful occasion. “Things were very tough back then, but everyone helped and chipped in,’’ he recollects. The wedding ceremony’s atmosphere was further enhanced by singing of ‘’bruidsliedjies’’ like “Ag Sarie’’ and “Rosa’’. In fact, waiters were often selected for their singing ability and were therefore required to add their voices to the occasion. Likewise, moulood was celebrated in style: “All our women were dressed in ‘strooimeisie’ clothes and prepared “rampies’’ (sweet smelling packets of scented leaves). In fact, moulood celebrations went on until 3-4 am in the mornings accompanied by excellent dishes,’’ he reminisces. He proudly shows me his Vineyards, WP and Springbok blazers. Deeply impressed, I learnt that the Springbok blazer was awarded to him after the unification of rugby organisations during the democratic transition. His eyes light up when talking about Vineyard’s illustrious history. He served as its chairman and manager for twenty years, during which time Vineyards accumulated several honours. This includes trophies for playing at national level. Sedick Jeppie also played an important role in the success of the club. “Vineyards is close to my heart and I am honoured to be life president of the club,’’ he says. The club was formed during 1944 and the first meeting was held in Janie Moerat’s home located in Malherbe Street. Mogammad Nackerdien was the club’s first chairman. The meeting was very well attended and the young Yusuf - aged 14 years old – was also present and enthusiastically followed proceedings. Subsequent meetings were held for some time in Gasant Rhoda’s barber shop on Sunday mornings. The year 1946 was a defining moment in Yusuf Moerat’s long rugby career and charted a path that would eventually culminate with him earning his Springbok colours. With animation he explains in detail how he was selected to play for the first team. “I was promised a chance to play in the first team if I went to collect some rugby gear for some members of the team,’’ he said. Unfortunately, the promise was broken and the tearful Yusuf informed his father about this. Others felt sorry for him and he eventually ended playing in the first team, albeit in the flank position, against the Standards rugby team. However, fate intervened and when the incumbent wing and captain, Moutie Moerat, was injured, he said that Yusuf should play there. He grabbed the opportunity with both hands by using his blistering pace to score two tries to help win the match, and the rest is history. He continued to play until the 1960s when he suffered a severe injury that resulted in a cartilage operation and ended his rugby career. Thereafter he moved into sports administration, serving as WP and SARU selector. Reflecting on 80 years brings a tear to his eye as he gratefully acknowledges the excellent support provided by his loving wife. “She had the patience to keep things going while I was busy with meetings and playing sport,’’ he sighs. “I am so grateful to her for everything and never complaining.’’ Yusuf Moerat also plays an active role in affairs of the local Muslim community, as former chairman and as convener of fundraising. He also regularly performs duty as a muadthin (caller to prayer) and is currently the president of the Paarl Muslim Jamaah. He has four daughters (Sorayah, Shiham, Shariefah, Najmiah), a son (Yazeed), 12 grandchildren and 7 great-grand children. * May God’s peace and blessings be upon him.
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