During his state of the nation address in February 2010, President Jacob Zuma called on the South African nation to mark the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Indians to South Africa in the month of November. He further affirmed that this celebration provided an opportunity to recognise the contribution of the Indian community in the fields of labour, business, science, sports, religion, arts, culture and the achievement and consolidation of our democracy.
In responding to this call, communities throughout the length and breadth of South Africa executed various commemorative activities to celebrate and commemorate the 150th anniversary. Various communities throughout the country established community based structures around the 1860 heritage theme. Various provinces established provincial heritage/legacy bodies that came together to form a national body called the 1860 Legacy Foundation which became the umbrella body of all the 1860 legacy initiatives that marked the 150th anniversary.
On 27 November 2010, in the township of Belvedere in Tongaat towards the north of Durban, a legacy memorial project in memory of the indentured Indian labourers was launched by the then Minister of Communications Roy Padayachie, who initiated the memorial project. The township of Belvedere was chosen as it is named after one of the three ships that brought the indentured labourers to South Africa.
During the colonial era, 151 years ago the colonial government recruited Indian labourers to work in the sugar plantations of Natal. The “Truro ship” left Madras and anchored in Port Natal, the first to arrive, on the 16th of November. The “Belvedere ship” left Calcutta arriving at Port Natal on 26 November 1860. The last ship to arrive in 1911 was called “the Umlazi”.
These ships brought hundreds of Indians to the shores of Port Natal that inducted them to a life of contracted indenture in the sugar plantations and mills of the colonial sugar barons. A life of terrible pain and extreme hardship followed as they experienced a new life in this part of the world and in Africa. History records a life of arduous sacrifice, selfless service and a determination to succeed despite the odds.
At the celebration to mark the launch of the memorial on 27 November 2010, the then Minister of Communications Roy Padayachie stated that
“The unveiling of the Peace Pillar Memorial is a symbolic gesture, celebrating the heritage of the pioneers, the courage and commitment of the freedom fighters, and the wisdom, passion and determination of visionaries of a non-racial democratic South Africa.”
He further went on to say that the monument symbolises the arduous struggles of the indentured labourers and their descendants. Minister Padayachie also expressed appreciation for the warmth that was given by the indigenous African people for having accepted that the Indian labourers could stay in South Africa and make this their home and the home for generations that followed.
The Peace Memorial Monument in the Belvedere Township is a poignant reminder of the richness of our past, the arduous struggle and sacrifices of our forbearers and the immense rich cultural and spiritual foundations of all our peoples in South Africa.
The monument also pays tribute to the five indentured labourers who were killed and nine others who were wounded at the Blackburn and Hillhead Barracks of the Natal Estates Ltd in Mount Edgecombe. Exactly the same day of the launch of the memorial (27 November) in 1913 these indentured labourers were shot in the back for responding to a call by Gandhi and the Natal Indian Congress to strike against the Three Pound Tax.
Those who gave their lives in this incident were Pachiappen, Ragavan, Selvan, Guruvadu and Soubrayan Gounden. A pillar in the monument records the names of those that were killed and injured in this strike.
Another pillar in the monument records the names of struggle activists from all communities. These names include Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Joe Slovo, Dr Yusuf Dadoo, Ahmed Timol, the Pahad brothers (Essop and Aziz Pahad), Mac Maharaj, MJ Naidoo, George Sewpersadh, Billy Nair, Helen Joseph and Dr Goonum. Tribute is paid to their resilience and determination and to the sacrifices made for the building of a non-racial democratic South Africa.
In a second phase tribute to the commemoration activities, celebrating the anniversary of the arrival of the indentured Indian labourers to South Africa, the South African government through the Ministries of Public Service and Administration, Arts and Culture and Communications and the South African Post Office will be issuing a series of commemorative stamps to mark the occasion of the 150th anniversary.
Three stamps which make up the first issue of a series of five stamps will be launched on Sunday, 27 November 2011. The additional two stamps will be launched on 27 November 2012.
Two colourful ceremonies are planned to mark this historic occasion. On the morning of 27 November (Sunday) at 10H00, there will be an Inter-Faith religious ceremony at the Peace memorial at Belvedere township of Tongaat in KwaZulu-Natal. Several national cabinet Ministers and national dignitaries will be present. The prayer service will be followed by a multi-cultural presentation by several cultural artists.
The first issue of the commemorative stamps will be made at a presentation ceremony on 27 November (Sunday) at 15h00 at Sibaya casino in Durban in KwaZulu-Natal.
As the month of November is a significant month commemorating the arrival of indentured Indian labourers to South Africa, various community legacy bodies will commence the celebration on 16 November 2011 marking the arrival of the SS Truro ship, the first of the two ships to arrive in South Africa. These activities will culminate with the prayer service and stamp launch on 27 November.
For more information contact:
Dumisani Nkwamba
Tel: 012 336 1704
Cell: 082 885 9448
E-mail: dumisanin@dpsa.gov.za
