His love and passion for the sea and the ships he sailed on for 24 years is the reason why Omar Joshua (67), fondly known as Boeta Omar from Tafelsig, is building ship replicas, particularly the ones he sailed on. He was known as Oscar Joshua before he converted to Islam.
“I would love to go back to the sea, do the funny walk on the ships when the ship is sailing on the waves, whether it is stormy or calm waters. You cannot describe your bond with the sea and the ships to someone who never had that experience. I was a seaman for 24 years, starting in 1975 with my sailing career,” says Joshua.
He first set sail on the cargo ship SA Van der Stel from Cape Town to the United States of America (USA) and has fond memories of his first trip. “We stayed at sea for between 20 and 22 days, depending on the weather and would unload or upload cargo in New York, New Orleans and Baltimore among others. You are all familiar with the rumour about seamen and ‘mermaids’ waiting in ports. I can admit it is true, as soon as a ship docks, the ‘mermaids’ are waiting and you can pick and choose,” Joshua says.
“As you know, that time was in the heart of apartheid and you seldom or never spoke to a white person. I love sailing trips to Australia and my first one was in 1977 and when we arrived there the majority of the sailors in the harbour or on the docks were white.
“Us and I in particular were scared to say a word, as we were not used to having conversations with whites in South Africa,” he says.
When building his ships, he uses pine wood and strong cotton rope for rigging the boat and pulling up the sail.
“In total, I have built six ships and I can also fix boats fishermen are using. To build one ship usually takes me three days and while I am busy building the ship, it takes me back to my sailing days. I am building the ships from memory only as I know exactly how the ships looked. Sometimes I will put in a detail or two to make the ship unique. The building process always takes me back to the good old days,” Joshua says.
If you want to see the ships at his home you are welcome to visit him.
“Besides showing you my handwork I’ll also share my sailing experiences with the visitors if they are keen to learn about days gone by. I can do any woodwork, and to me it is old stuff getting new again or having a facelift,” he chuckles.
None of his children are following in his footsteps and while he is building the ships he is reminiscing. The longing for the sea is huge and he just wants to go back.
“Being at sea for months you had to grow up quickly. Your mother was not around to tidy up behind you and you had to clean your cabin, wash, iron and fold your clothes neatly in your wardrobe.
“On Sundays, your captain would visit your cabin with a white glove for inspection to check if your cabin is clean, clothes folded neatly and the copper or brass handles on doors or cupboards are shining. The white glove is used to wipe the top of the doors, windowsills, chairs and tables to check for dust,” he says.
When it was Easter or Christmas at sea, the cook would prepare dishes fit for the occasion.
“Christmas times you can share a drink or two but the captain would always say, enjoy the drink but remember tomorrow is a work day. Most of the time the ships were sailing in automatic mode, but when we reach the Bermuda Triangle or hit rocky seas it was steered manually.
“While at sea you still had to pay taxes on your monthly income to South Africa, the money you never received back when you return to home shores. Although life was tough at sea, you made lifelong friends who later became your family and I would not trade my 24 years at sea for anything. I would like to go back again, but time has moved on and I am not so young anymore,” Joshua says.
- Contact Joshua on 078 432 4214.
