The legacy of Puntans Hill Cricket Club

THE Puntans Hill Cricket Club, which was situated near Morningside in Durban, had a deep-rooted history with sport.

- MONISHKA GOVENDER [e-mail]

The club started in 1951, which, at the time, mostly comprised one large extended family with the surname Naidoo. Kevin Naidoo, 58, a retired account manager whose dad and uncle played for the club, said Indians predominantly lived in the area; and his Naidoo forebears were from Hyderabad in India.

Kevin, who was born and raised on Silver Willow Road in Puntans Hill, recalled: “My dad, Johnny Naidoo, and uncles, Bobby and Jackie Naidoo, as well as our relatives were part of the Puntans Hill Cricket Club. I followed in my family’s footsteps much later and played league cricket for Crimson Cricket Club for five years until I retired from the sport at age 35.”

Kevin, who now lives in Centurion in Johannesburg, said Bobby was the first “non-white” Postmaster General in South Africa. He learnt about the “gentleman’s game” during World War II where he served as a soldier.