When the legendary Ahmed Mia ‘Jimmy’ Bulbulia and family members left Muslim Cricket Club to form Crescents CC in 1938, a future South African non-white opening batsman was just five years old.
Some 35-40 years later, he was still opening his only club’s (Crescents) innings.

Today, 70 years later, Abdul Samed Bulbulia (“Sam” to cricket-lovers throughout the country) is gracing this memorable occasion with us.
Sam, born in Vrededorp on 22 February 1933, attended Bree Street Indian Government School until 1946. He then accompanied his parents abroad, staying in India while they were on pilgrimage (Hajj).

On the family’s return home, he completed his schooling at the Johannesburg Indian High School in 1951. He first made his mark in cricket during that year when he was voted “Best Cricketer of 1951”.
In 1957, eviction notices were served on all Indians by the apartheid National Party government to move to Lenasia 30-plus km away. However, the resilient Bulbulia family withstood all threats, with their mother in the forefront, and Sam, and a few of the other family members, are still resident ….. in Fietas!

Once more, the tenacious nature which dominated his batting, played a decisive role. The family is of sporting breed. Eldest brother Ahmed Mia “Jimmy” (now deceased) assumed legendary proportions, first as a top-grade middle order batsman, then as an astute captain, and ….finally, a tactician par excellence in coaching and managing.

Mohammed “Bree” Bulbulia became a national umpire and an excellent administrator in the game. He passed away earlier this year. Another brother Hassim, also deceased, was an attacking top-order batsman.

Abdul Samed is, today, the only surviving member of the historic South African team to tour Kenya in the 1950’s. He is one of a quarter of Crescent-linked cricketers who shared this distinction. The others were opening batsman/off-spin bowler Amien Variawa who was also vice-captain to another legend, Basil D’Oliviera (also deceased).

Mohamed Garda, another talented all-rounder was also a fine slip fielder, Hassim “Kiteltjie” Abrahams, technically-supreme top-order batsman, and an outstanding outfielder in the cover/midwicket regions, passed away a few years ago.

Sam, orthodox in style, but consistent always, was totally committed to Crescents, the only club he represented in his illustrious career. And, he always, played the game fair, a rare quality in the sport today.
Some pertinent observations Abdul Samed refers to whenever cricket is the topic are worth recording. It is his firm belief that the Crescent side of the 1970’s, so brilliantly guided by Jimmy, and the late Ismail Mangera, was undoubtedly the best club side in the then Transvaal.
He also rates Jimmy as the best captain he had played under. ”Since my retirement, some of the outstanding cricketers who had attained legendary status include Abdul Latif “Tiffie” Barnes and Moosa Mangera, among others.”

“I am also convinced that Moosa (Mangera) was the most versatile cricketer I have seen, “he added.

Today, Sam is still fond of attending cricket matches at the Wanderers, where he was given the honour of Honourary Life Vice President by the Gauteng Cricket Board.

Kudos to you, Abdul Samed, and thank you for sharing your cricket ability and friendship with us.

The honour bestowed on you is thoroughly deserved.