18 September 2006
The Presidency and Premier Sibusiso Ndebele, on behalf of the KwaZulu-Natal
Provincial Government, invite all media for the Centenary of the Satyagraha,
the non-violent struggle of passive resistance initiated by Mahatma Gandhi in
South Africa in 1906. It is one of the country's 2006 earmarked anniversaries
to mark a journey in the struggle for freedom and democracy in South African
history.
The celebrations will commence on 30 September to 1 October 2006, in
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), with a special and significant official visit from the
Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh, to South Africa and to
KwaZulu-Natal, where his entourage of over 100 people will stay for two days.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be accompanied by 60 journalists and
business personalities.
The celebrations will be characterised by the four nodal events as
follows:
* Train Drive - Saturday, 30 September 2006
The Prime Minister of India and his delegation, Minister in The Presidency,
Essop Pahad, and Minister of Arts and Culture, Pallo Jordan, Premier of
KwaZulu-Natal Sibusiso Ndebele, MEC for Arts, Culture and Tourism in
KwaZulu-Natal Weziwe Thusi and Mayor of Msunduzi Municipality Ms Zanele
Hlatshwayo will participate in a train drive from Penrich Station to
Pietermaritzburg station, viewing the pictures and memorabilia displayed on the
walls of the station.
* Site visits Sunday, 1 October 2006:
Phoenix/Ghandi settlement: Walkabout at the Phoenix settlement and laying of
wreath on Ghandi's bust.
* Umbilo Resistance Park � Sunday, 1 October 2006:
A public gathering will take place at the park where the Mayor of Ethekwini,
Councillor Obed Mlaba, and Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad will outline
the significance of the site.
* A public event or gathering at the Kingsmead (Sahara) stadium where
President Thabo Mbeki and the Prime Minister of India will address a public
gathering.
Members of the media are requested to reserve a place in order to get
accreditation and avoid any inconvenience when covering the event. Members of
the media wishing to cover this event are advised to provide their full names,
identity numbers and contact details as soon as possible.
For further details and RSVP contact:
Swazi Dlamini
Cell: 083 964 0961
Email: swazi@gcis.gov.za
For transport arrangements and RSVP contact:
Jeff Hassan
Cell: 082 884 1872
Email: hassanj@premier.kzntl.gov.za
Enquiries:
Thulani Sithole
Tel: (033)341 3428
Cell: 082 317 3727
Email: sitholtn@premier.kzntl.gov.za
Issued by: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
18 September 2006
Source: SAPA
