G.M. butchery bids farewell to the Observatory community

After more than 48 years of serving the community, the family-owned G.M. Moslem Meat Market in Observatory closed its doors at the end of last month, marking the end of an era for many long-time customers.

The butchery was founded in 1977 by Gaironesha and Mohammad Moosa when it first opened at 313 Main Road, Observatory. Their initials were used to create the name G.M. Butcher.

Ms Moosa said at the time of opening, they initially were not allowed to trade in Observatory during the Apartheid era, as it was an area with a large white demographic.

Ms Moosa said she spent her early years in Observatory before her family was forcibly removed under the Group Areas Act. They later settled in Belgravia. After marrying Mr Moosa, the couple lived in Rylands and now reside in Crawford.

Reflecting on the butchery’s early days, Ms Moosa recalled the challenges they faced in obtaining a trading permit. She said a government official they knew at the time assisted them in securing the permit, allowing them to open the shop in late 1977.

One of their biggest selling points when they opened was their "special hot polony" that Mr Moosa made himself.

During that time, there were many factories close by whose employees would become regular customers at the butchery.

“People would come from far away to buy this special hot polony,” she said.

She said word quickly spread about their “special hot polony,” and visitors from Durban, Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), and Johannesburg would make a point of stopping by the butchery to buy it. On one occasion, they even vacuum-sealed hot polony for a customer travelling to Taiwan.

During the earlier years, Ms Moosa said they received some resistance from a small group of people who were not happy about it, though their butchery became well-loved throughout the community.

The butchery underwent some changes over the years, including a move in 1998 to 315 Main Road, Observatory - right next door to its original location.

When they started their business, Ms Moosa said, the community was much safer then, compared to today.

“There were times when we could open at 5am and then close at 6pm, but now we can’t do that anymore. We had an armed robbery outside the butchery over three years ago, so we have to be more vigilant when working in the area,” she said. 

Ms Moosa said the reason they are closing is that both she and her husband are 78 and they want to spend more time with their family.

“We don’t want to be working at the age of 80, we want to spend time with our grandchildren,” she said, adding that they will be selling the entire building.

Even their daughter, Rezana Moosa, who now lives in Johannesburg with her family, spent much of her childhood at the butchery.

“I used to serve customers, fetch food for the employees, and even slept at the desk. I grew up in the butchery,” she said.

Rezana returned to Observatory to visit the shop on its final day, Monday, June 30.

“I think it’s time for my parents to rest and enjoy their life,” she said.

Ms Moosa said it is sad that they are closing.

“We are used to working here, we met many people over the years who we have become good friends with,” she said, adding that many customers still came to the butchery on their last day to buy some of their "special hot polony." 

Sumayah Adams from Woodstock has been a customer for more than 40 years.

“I used to always buy our hot polony every Friday. I am very sad that it is closing, the owners always remember me, and my family always enjoyed their hot polony,” she said.

Moerida Daniels from Crawford would always come to visit the butchery whenever she visited Groote Schuur Hospital to pick up her tablets.

“I am shocked to hear that they are closing, it will never be the same coming to Groote Schuur without the butchery not being here,” she said.

Butchery employee, Somaya Salie has been working there for over 25 years.

“It was wonderful working at this butchery, the owners felt like my parents,” she said.

She enjoyed serving the customers.

“It was the favourite part of my job, all the customers loved me, and it is very sad that the butchery is closing,” she said.