
Dixon and Mummy Naidoo

Our late father, Dixon Naidoo, eldest son of the Late Mr. and Mrs. Post Appanna of Jacobs Road, Clairwood, married our mother Appiamma (lovingly known as Mummy), eldest daughter of the Late Mr. and Mrs. Chinna Naidoo, on 6 June 1946.
Our mum married into a fanatical football family. The Post Appanna family formed, and also managed, the famous Pirates Football Club in Jacobs Road and played in Clairwood football grounds, also known as SCDIFA. Our dad played and captained the club with admirable zest. Later in life, he took on many vital roles in the club, such as the manager, coach, sports massage therapist, mediator, etc. Life for our family revolved around the club,
and our mum stood by our dad and gave him her never-ending support. She, not only took care of our family, but served as a cook, housekeeper, kit controller and at times mother to the club and the players, and we, as well as the club members, respected her immensely. Our home was the home of the Pirates Football Club. Mum was a hardworking, loving, humble, respectful and very caring woman. She was born with a heart of gold and was much admired for her grace and elegance. She spoke five languages: English, Telugu, Hindi, Tamil and Zulu, and could also read and write in Telugu as well as sing in this beautiful language.

Mum’s culinary skills were exceptional! She did not need a cookbook for cooking, baking Indian delights, home-made curry powder and maranselvu. During the special occasions, like Deepavali, Christmas, New Year and family gatherings, our mum would spend days preparing Indian delights which included Telugu specialties like Archulu, Pongadulu and Neethapalu. We were fortunate enough to have enjoyed and learned her culinary skills. Apart from being the exceptional cook that she was, mum also made time for sewing and knitting for the family, a hobby she much loved. She was a remarkable women and the perfect role model to emulate. She lived by the motto “2 wrongs don’t make a right”.
Dad was passionate about soccer and was an extremely talented young player who later became a self-taught coach. His training techniques for stopping a ball, the instep, the outside of your feet, how to kick a dead ball, the volley, the corner, pass, dribble and the value of training on the beach are all invaluable lessons, which we learnt from him. Even the goal-keepers learned to sharpen their reflexes and their hand-eye co-ordination from him. He lived for a good game and loved to win!
It is as a result of him, and the commitment of the players, that the club was so successful and became a household name in non-racial soccer in Clairwood. Later in life he was jointly involved in the formation and management of a professional football club called “Hearts Football Club” (a combination of Pirates and Crimson). We grew up following, and supporting, him to South Coast, Curries and Kingsmead grounds. This club played against great and powerful teams such as Aces United, Berea, Avalon Athletics, Moroka Swallows and Orlando Pirates. They also participated in many successful 5-a-side tournaments. Our beloved father played a leading role in the club’s victories, and we were fortunate to have witnessed all of his games.
He was a top exponent on the carom board, darts, draughts and card games. He organized competitions for these games at home, in the community and at work. He ran raffles for people on an organized basis so that people could win small amounts of money whenever there were sporting events around. These included horse-racing and the popular Durban July. Like our mum, our dad was our role model. He inspired us be involved in the promotion of non- racial sport as players and administrators.
Our dad was employed at Consolidated Textiles Mill as a machine technician. Due to the poor wages and lack of proper operational conditions, the workers, who had formed a union within the Mill, went on a strike. Our dad, who was known for his belief in fairness and equality, was identified as the “ring leader” and was subsequently and unfortunately dismissed. As a result of this, our mum commenced with informal trading in the local area of Jacobs selling food, fruit and vegetables. The income generated was used to support the family until our dad was employed as a heavy duty driver at Ark Fire Services and Palframans. Through the good and bad times, our much-loved parents never lacked spirit, and continuously inspired and motivated each of us to be strong, successful individuals. They stood by and supported us through even the most difficult decisions we made in life. Where we stand today, we are sure that they will be proud.
When Clairwood was declared a light-industrial-area only, a lot of movement for our family then followed. Our late Uncle Drummond decided to move to his own home in Reservoir Hills and we had to sell our paternal home. We moved to Umhlatuzana Township in 1970 (thanks to our uncle and aunt Seeram and Narain).
In 1972 we moved to Arena Park (Unit six) (thanks to Vengtas and Vimla). Whilst living in Arena Park, tragedy struck our family. Our dad died suddenly at the very young age of 48, of unknown causes. In January 1974, the family moved to Collier Avenue (Umhlatuzana Township), thanks to mums parents.
Our parents made tremendous sacrifices in providing their 8 children with basic and higher education. They went the extra mile to ensure that Lenny, Robin and Jacy completed their post matric education and graduated at the University of Durban Westville. This was the most significant and important milestone in our lives and a turning point for the Dixon family. Unfortunately our dad was not alive to witness his dream for us, though we knew he was there for us in spirit
In December 1976, the Dixon Naidoo family built and moved into their family home at 22 Strelitzia Road, Silverglen. This home served as the springboard and a catalyst for growth and development of our family. Lenny, Robin and Jacy took over as the breadwinners of the Dixon household. We continued with the dream and goals of our parents by focusing on education. To continue with their studies, the family bought a combi which was used for the family to go to university. Subsequently Ram, Sushie and Ronnie graduated. Priscilla and Shirley were also employed and played a supportive role, whilst Robin and Jacy formed Disco Soultana and played almost every week-end at functions. Robin and Jacy played a leading role in managing the disco whilst Ram and others were the DJs. The disco was revived by Paroshan (Robin’s son) and Mugan (Priscilla’s son) and is currently being run by Mugan.
Whilst living in Arena Park, Lenny married Jane, on 23 December 1973. Whilst living in Silverglen, Robin married Hamsha on 13 December 1979; Jacy married Rookoo on 06 July 1980; Priscilla married Asogan on 11 September 1983; Ram married Lovey on 4 July 1981; Shirley married Yegan on 25 March 1978 and Ronnie married Rogani on 12 February 1987
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