Aliwal Emanuel Voysey (1849-1931)

The young Aliwal was sent on horse back to school in the nearby town Verulam, later at Durban High School, and then studied accountancy. He married Eliza Field, who had emigrated to Port Natal as a governess, in January 1884, and they had a daughter Beatrice and son Aliwal Edward.

Aliwal Emanuel was attracted by the Barberton Gold rush, and went there and set up as a general dealer. The business was destroyed in a fire and Aliwal returned to Durban having lost all in the fire. In 1893 he joined a firm in Durban managing their land department. In 1908 he started a business as an estate agent, auctioneer, and land valuer, in partnership with a Mr. Fernie; the business was called Voysey and Fernie. He became well known in Natal as a property man, and built several houses on the Berea in Durban. He was a member of the Central Methodist Church and was a lay preacher, and regarded as one of early Durban’s prominent leaders.

Towards the end of his career, a partner in the business absconded with the funds of the business, and he vowed to repay all the debts he was left with. He was joined in the business by his son Aliwal Edward in about 1927, and died on 22nd September 1931, having worked until a few days beforehand. During Aliwal Emanuel’s lifetime, Durban had grown from a collection of huts to a modern city with the largest harbour in Africa.

A feature of colonial life in the early 1900’s was to send ones children to school in England. Thus Eliza and her tow children spent many years in England while they attended various education institutions.

Eliza was something of an artist, and enjoyed pottery. She was instrumental in getting a pottery class started at the Technical College in West Street, Durban.