Manilal, left, and his brother Parbhoo Patel. They managed Patel's Vegetarian Room on Dr Yusuf Dadoo Street, formerly Grey Street.
Durban’s Casbah will bid farewell to Manilal Patel, 83, whose family recipes for curries and bunny chows made their business, Patel's Vegetarian, an international attraction.
Manilal’s funeral will take place at the Clare Estate Crematorium on Saturday. He had been in the business since the age of 16 and was a familiar face behind the shop counter of steaming curries and sweetmeats.
According to the family history, Rambhai Morar Patel established the business in 1911. In 1932, Ranchod Rama Patel took over the reins, and by the 1950s, it was passed down to his sons, Manilal and Parbhoo. Manilal became the sole owner after Parbhoo died.
Shomz Sewnarain, who worked at Patel's from 2001, described Manilal as stern, dedicated to his business, and generous. Sewnarain said Manilal was in good health and worked in the shop, preparing meals and serving customers.
