Two by Two
FURDIN
⬗ 22nd September, 2026
We had not been in Lindi for long, so we followed our project partner to the shops when we needed to buy something. That’s how we got to know Furdin’s hardware store. I liked Furdin from the start. He was part of the small Indian-origin business community in Lindi. He was not tall, fairly young, always cheerful, and always attentive. Whenever I needed hardware I drove to his store.
Every time I entered his shop his face lit up. Mostly he sat behind his massive wooden desk while his two helpers were busy in and outside the store. He offered me a chair and as I sat down he called one of his helpers and gave him an instruction. When he returned he carried two bottles of ice-cold soda. Furdin took them and gave one to me. While we drank we talked about our work, our families and about Germany.
At some point I asked him for what I needed. He stood up and fetched it from the shelves. When he did not have it in stock, he said,
"Pole, Alexi, sina kitu. Tafadhali, nenda duka la Singa. Atakuwa nayo. — Sorry, Alex. I don’t have it. Please, go to
Singa’s store. He’ll have it.“ Usually Singa did have what I needed.
It became a habit. I always went to Furdin first, even though I almost knew he wouldn’t have what I needed. I wanted him to have the first chance at the sale - and because I wanted to see him.
At present more than 60,000 Tanzanians of Indian descent live in Tanzania. Though only 0.2% of the population, they have a disproportionate ownership of Tanzanian companies.
In the 13th and 14th century the first Indian merchants came to the African south eastern coast and gradually settled. Under British colonial rule there was another boost in number. Many Indian Tanzanians make their living through trade and entrepreneurship. Freddy Mercury (Queen) is a notable celebrity, born in 1946 to Zanzibaries of Indian descent.
Lindi has a small Indian Tanzanian community, but significant enough to have their own Hindu religious and social centre.
Source: Wikipedia
Alexander Breitenbach