Harry’s Printers, one of East London’s oldest family-owned businesses, celebrated its milestone 95th anniversary at the end of October.
Founded in 1929 by cobbler and spiritual writer Lalloo Harry, the company started as a means to share his religious writings.
Today, it stands as the Eastern Cape’s largest printing operation, with branches in East London, Tshwane, and Gqeberha.
Lalloo’s son, Mohan, took up printing as a hobby, which gradually turned into a flourishing business under the leadership of Vrij Harry, who took over in 1973. Now, led by Lalloo’s granddaughter Poonam Harry, Harry’s Printers offers a wide array of services, from digital and wide-format printing to marketing and IT solutions.
Poonam expressed deep gratitude for the legacy built by her family, saying: “To celebrate such a milestone is an honour. We acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and vision of our forefathers and pay tribute to the rich legacy they created.”
In honour of their 95th birthday, Harry’s Printers hosted a prayer service at each of its branches. At their head office on Kimberley Road, leaders from Hindu, Christian, and Muslim faiths gathered to offer blessings, a tribute to the business’s diverse community and spiritual roots.
This year’s celebration coincided with the start of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.
“This was the perfect start to our year-long celebration,” Poonam said. “We’re grateful for all the blessings and for the unwavering support from our staff, clients, and community over the years.”
Harry’s Printers is planning a variety of events to honour their clients, community members, and suppliers.
A “pop-a-balloon” promotion at their Vincent branch kicks off the festive season, and they’ll soon host book launches and the release of the second anthology from the Vrij and Karuna Young Writers’ Competition in December.
Poonam said Harry’s Printers is committed to innovation and staying relevant in a rapidly changing industry.
As the first and only African member of the International Printers’ Network, Harry’s Printers remains connected to the latest global trends and trade advancements. “We’re thrilled to explore new ways to meet our clients’ needs and continue growing,” she said.
Poonam also expressed her appreciation for the East London community, whose support has been a foundation for their success.
“We’d like to thank everyone who has stood by us, especially through challenging times.
“Our team is family to us — some have been with us for more than 50 years — and we couldn’t have reached this milestone without them.”
As Harry’s Printers celebrates 95 years, they look forward to new opportunities and strengthening the connections that have made them a cherished part of East London’s history.
