Pomeroy, KwaZulu-Natal

Pomeroy is a small town in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, some 72 kilometers north of Greytown and 56 kilometers south-south-east of Dundee. The town was named for the noble Sir George Pomeroy Colley, who led the ill-fated British force during the Battle of Majuba Hill in 1881.

The town was established initially as the Gordon Memorial Mission in 1867 in memory of James Henry Hamilton-Gordon, the son of George Hamilton-Gordon, 5th Earl of Aberdeen. The mission worked with the Zulus.

A wealthy family of North Indian origin, the Boodhoo family, developed the mission further. A Mr. Boodhoo, whom Herman Boodhoo succeeded, first developed two stores. Herman Boodhoo further established a toy manufacturing shop and the company’s first supermarkets, Boodhoo Bros and Boodhoo & Sons. Herman Boodhoo’s successor, Puren Boodhoo, was a strong political figure, businessman, farmer, and sportsman, especially in golf and tennis. Puren Boodhoo also supported and hosted the local community’s sporting events. Rambally Boodhoo, his successor, furthered the business and supported town growth still. Like his predecessor, Rambally Boodhoo was a strong golf and tennis player, once being the captain of the local tennis team. Finally, Dan Boodhoo, a great entrepreneur, succeeded him. Presently, the work of the Boodhoo Dynasty still holds together the town.