Media Advisory - Commemoration of the 163rd anniversary of the arrival of indentured Indian labourers



Picture: SS Singh Archives at the 1860 Heritage Centre.


KwaDukuza mayor Lindile Nhaca will join scores at the 163rd anniversary commemoration of the arrival of indentured Indian labourers on Friday, 24 November 2023.


November 2023 marks the 163th anniversary of the arrival of the SS Truro, the vessel which ferried indentured labours who would become the first Indians to arrive at the shores of Port-Natal now Ethekwini in 1860.


The 152 000 strong indentured Indians arrived during a time when slavery was deeply entrenched, these men and women arrived in Port-Natal (Durban) with a promise of a slave wage - arriving to the British sugar cane farms which made Durban at that time, the largest Indian settlement area outside of India.

 

The labours worked in sugar cane plantations across the province of KwaZulu Natal. Some Indians chose not to return to their homeland and instead established themselves in various professions fields within the province.

 

At that time, Indians faced widespread discrimination in South Africa. Indians, like the black African natives, were subjected to all forms of discriminatory practices to which Mahatma Ghandi played a significant role in unifying the Indian identity. This shared struggle resulted in mass movements of resistance, ultimately paving the way for South Africa's democratic breakthrough in 1994, when a government representing the people was elected.

A stature of Ghandi was installed in the heart of KwaDukuza as part of commemorating this legacy. With a population of over 14% of descendants of indentured Indian laborers, KwaDukuza has found a unique position to host the 163rd commemoration of the arrival of  indentured Indians.


Members of media are invited to attend and report on the event as follows:

 

Date: Friday, 24 November 2023

Cultural Parade: To commence at 17:00 at the Stanger High School sports field to KwaDukuza Mall for the main event

Main venue: KwaDukuza Mall

Time: 18:30

 

Ends

 

Enquiries: Sphe Ngobese | 073 784 7822 | 032 437 5133

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

KwaDukuza Mayor welcomes R350 million set for the expansion of Hesto Harnesses plant in Shakaskraal

Image
KwaDukuza Mayor Siduduzo Gumede welcomes the R350 million commitment set for the expansion of manufacturing capacity and warehousing by Shreeprop in Shakaskraal of which Hesto Harnesses is a key tenant.   "We welcome the overwhelming confidence that the private sector continues to place in the local economy and this is evidenced by the investment of an additional R350 million towards the expansion of industrial capacity located in the Woodmead Industrial Park in Shakaskraal", he said.   A total of R620 million has already been contributed to the local economy through the property ownership of Shree Property Holdings. The Woodmead plant is a key manufacturing facility for Hesto Harnesses, currently employing over 800 residents from the local community.   An additional investment has been committed towards the construction of six new industrial and logistical facilities in the industrial park over the next twelve months. This was announced today, 05 May 2026,...
Read more

Media statement: KwaDukuza Mayor outlines implementation of Section 106 report following labour court challenges

Image
In line with a resolution of the KwaDukuza Municipal Council, KwaDukuza Mayor Siduduzo Gumede wishes to inform members of the public on the latest developments emanating from the findings and recommendations of a forensic investigation that was conducted in terms of Section 106 of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, which relates to court proceedings instituted by the Municipal Manager, the Executive Director for Corporate Services, and the Executive Director for Civil Engineering who were placed on precautionary suspension by the municipal council on 13 February 2026. "Following the completion of the forensic investigation initiated by the KZN MEC for Corporate Governance and Traditional Affairs, report was brought before the Municipal Council in-committee. The report details a number of findings concerning governance, administrative and financial management practices within the Municipality. These findings included weaknesses in certain internal control systems, procure...
Read more

KwaDukuza Mayor discusses investments and cooperation in bilateral with Gledhow Sugar Company

Image
As KwaDukuza Mayor Siduduzo Gumede is engaging with investors and big business in a bid to strengthen corporation and to build stronger partnerships as part of his Mayoral Investor After-Care Initiative under his Turnaround  Service Delivery  Improvement Plan. His first engagement was convened at the Gledhow Sugar Company where he has opened a dialogue on matters of mutual interests, with a particular focus on economic development of the local municipality and its people. The mayor is using this opportunity to establish an ongoing conversation with the sugar mill company that has received an injection close to R1.8-billion under a new investor, Chatthe Group. This was announced as the mill was re-opened last week, following a successful business rescue process that was initiated in 2023. The intervention has saved jobs in the hundreds. Mayor Gumede addressed the management of the mill that has been in operation in KwaDukuza for over 100 years. “We welcome the expansion of the ...
Read more