Asmalls is one of KwaZulu-Natal’s oldest family-run companies. Deeply rooted in their commitment to serve the community with products and services at the best value for money, they have become a household name for many over the years. They are proud to be celebrating their 119th year in business, a milestone few companies can boast about. What started with one man’s determination to create a better future for his family more than a century ago has grown into a company with 16 stores throughout KwaZulu-Natal and approximately 400 staff members today.
A Leap of Faith
Dawood Ebrahim Asmall left his village home in Kathor, India, in 1907, and moved to South Africa to start a better life for himself and his family. He was 23 years old at the time and partnered in business with his older brother, Mahomed Ebrahim Asmall, who lived in Bulwer. With businesses in Bulwer and Donnybrook, Dawood eventually opened a store on Lufafa Road, on the R612, under the name “Dawood Asmall”. He then opened another in Elandskop under “Dawood Asmall & Co.”, when Ismail Mahomed Parak, his nephew, joined him in business. In 1932, Dawood Ebrahim Asmall put up a building at 460 Church Street, naming it “Asmall’s Building”, which still stands tall on the corner of Church and Retief Street, PMB. In 1939, Dawood established the company Asmall & Sons (Pty) Ltd, in partnership with his nephew, Ismail Mahomed Parak.
Dawood was remembered to have run successful businesses and often treated his staff like family. When he died in 1944, his nephew took over the business, and eventually Dawood’s son, Yusuf Dawood Asmall, joined in 1949 and took over the company when Ismail Mahomed Parak died in 1964. During Yusuf’s time running the business, he faced many challenges, notably the inevitable constraints of Apartheid, but these were ultimately overcome, and he grew one store into several thriving chains specialising in clothing, curtaining, and apparel. When Yusuf died in 2022, his sons Yunus and Mohammed took over. The latter passed away in 2024, and Yunus has been at the helm alongside his two Chief Operations Officers, Saadiyah Farouk and Kantha Naidoo, ever since.
The history of the Asmalls stores, so beloved in Pietermaritzburg, runs deep within the veins of our heritage and community. Knowing that it started more than 100 years ago when one man took a leap of faith for his family and secured a business now passed down through the generations, we can rest assured that the Asmall family has been successful stewards of a thriving legacy, and continues to shape the landscape of businesses in our city.
Facebook: AsmallsClothes
www.asmallsonline.co.za
Address: 204 Victoria Road, Pietermaritzburg
Words by: Alicia du Plessis