Latest news with #1860HeritageCentre
IOL News
05-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Contractors break ground with 1860 Indenture Monument in Durban
Construction work on the 1860 Indentured Workers Monument, situated along Durban's uShaka Beach promenade, has begun. Omie Singh, a businessman from KwaZulu-Natal, visited the site on Friday. Image: Leon Lestrade / Independent Newspapers For a group of senior citizens on a WhatsApp group, a picture of the construction of the 1860 Indenture Monument in Durban means a thousand words. So said Eddie Poonsamy, 66, who lives in North Beach, each time he updates his local temple WhatsApp group and family on the progress made at the site along the uShaka Beach Promenade. Culturalists and stakeholders regard the monument as a step towards honouring the legacy of Indian indentured labourers who first arrived in Durban from 1860. Once completed, the monument is expected to encapsulate their sacrifices and contributions ahead of the 165th commemoration of the arrival of the first indentured workers on November 16, 2025. Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Poonsamy, who grew up at the Magazine Barracks in Durban before his family was relocated to Westcliff in Chatsworth, said group members were elated when they saw images of contractors who broke ground at the site. 'I am always on the beach promenade, so when work began, I took pictures and shared them with the groups. Over the years, they had lost hope, but now there has been a keen rise in interest around the monument. The senior citizens in these groups are anticipating the completion of the monument,' Poonsamy said. Selvan Naidoo, director of 1860 Heritage Centre in Durban, said it was a proud moment for him personally, being the great-grandson of Camachee indentured no. 3297, who arrived in Durban in 1864. 'We take great pride knowing that her legacy and that of the other 152,184 indentured workers will finally have their place in telling the history of the South African story, making up all of its people. Unbowed, unwavering, and unflinching, we remain resolute in telling the story of indenture and our Makkal (people) 31 years into South Africa's Democracy,' he said. According to IOL reports, the contractor and artist Brendon Edwards explained that the monument will be eight meters high and will have the names of 684 Indian indentured labourers and the 29 individuals who died on the ship named Belvedere. Edwards said the sugarcane archer will be 684 strands representing the DNA of those who made the trip. This will then come down into the additional bronze, which has now been added, representing the family of the indentured. There will be a pond to symbolise the ocean, water, and the trip they made. Embracing the design is the Zulu nation's kraal, welcoming the indentured. 'The names of our forebears and the story of their journey are important and serve to educate the general public,' said Seelan Achary, chairperson of the 1860 Commemoration Council. 'We are happy to see construction has begun, and we urge the MEC for Arts and Culture to continue to communicate with all stakeholders as was evident at a meeting earlier this year,' Achary said. Omie Singh, president of the KZN International Business Association (KIBA), said he was excited that the contractor had broken ground on the project. Singh said the site's location was in a prominent tourism node and a well-frequented public area. He believed that the monument would be a visual history lesson on Durban's development, both economic and agricultural. 'This monument will give people an educational experience in the role played by the indentured labourers in Durban. The indentured labourers could have sat on this very same sandbank 160 years ago when they were brought across from the Bluff. With this monument, there will always be a conversation and discussion among ordinary people around the arrival of the labourers for decades to come.' Prince Ishwar Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu said he felt proud that his forefathers, who toiled the soil, would finally be recognised despite the challenges faced with the design. 'This monument serves as a poignant reminder of their sacrifices, struggles, and triumphs. It symbolizes the enduring legacy of the indentured laborers and our descendants, who have become an integral part of our society. 'Our forefathers left behind their homes, families, and familiar surroundings to work in unfamiliar and often harsh conditions. They toiled tirelessly to build our country, contributing to its growth and development,' he explained. Work is under way on the 1860 Indenture Monument along Durban's promenade. Image: Zainul Dawood Eddie Poonsamy at the site where the 1860 Indenture Monument is being built near the uShaka Beach Promenade. Image: Zainul Dawood
IOL News
04-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Cultural ambassadors rally for support station faces financial crisis
Southside FM faces a financial crisis. Image: Facebook CULTURAL leaders have expressed concern and rallied support for Southside FM, a station facing financial challenges, as they discuss strategies for its future sustainability. Selvan Naidoo, director of the 1860 Heritage Centre, said the station had consistently failed to meet the needs of the people it was meant to serve. 'It is sad that despite its incredible potential, SouthsideFM has failed to meet the needs of the majority Dravidian Indian African Diaspora living in South Africa. 'Bereft of a strategic vision to grow the station beyond a fiefdom of egoistic leadership, Southside FM has consistently failed to meet the needs of the people it was meant to serve. It is welcoming to see its present board reaching out to the community to develop a vision and mission that will help grow the station to meet its full potential. 'It is incumbent on the new board and all of us to put our shoulders to the wheel in ensuring that Southside FM develops a strategic vision that will be delivered with accountability, good governance and competence. Southside and its people deserve this much and much more,' he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Les Govender, deputy chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) said the financial crisis at the station was unfortunate. 'It was unfortunate to hear that Southside FM has been experiencing administrative and financial challenges and had to relocate from Westcliff to the premises in Silverglen. The meeting was robust, engaging the officials who have taken the initiative to call the meeting with a view of resolving the urgent issues,' he added. Govender said it was agreed at the public meeting that the committee that is already in place should continue to resolve administrative issues such as the status of the licence, registration of the station as a non-profit company, and attending to tax compliance matters. 'Once these issues have been resolved, all of us who are committed to preserving and promoting South Indian languages and culture need to work together and ensure that Southside FM grows in popularity and audience numbers. This will encourage advertising and sponsorship that will make the station sustainable. 'It's unacceptable that staff are not receiving regular salaries due to a lack of funding. I must commend the present staff component for their commitment and dedication. In these difficult times it's not easy to find such dedicated individuals who make themselves available to keep the station going. I have full confidence in Thaniga Moodley, Tansen Nepaul and others who are in the committee and I pledge my support to them in their efforts,' added Govender.
IOL News
04-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Construction begins on the 1860 Indentured Workers Monument in Durban
Construction work on the 1860 Indentured Workers Monument has begun along the Durban Beachfront. Image: Selvan Naidoo / 1860 Heritage Centre Construction work on the 1860 Indentured Workers Monument, situated along Durban's uShaka Beach promenade, has begun. Culturalists and stakeholders regard the monument as a step towards honouring the legacy of Indian indentured labourers, who arrived in Durban from 1860. The monument is expected to encapsulate their sacrifices and contributions. On Friday, Selvan Naidoo, director of 1860 Heritage Centre in Durban, said: 'We are proud to see that construction is under way, with the monument expected to be completed ahead of the 165th commemoration of the arrival of the first indentured workers on November 16, 2025.' According to IOL reports, the contractor and artist Brendon Edwards explained that the monument is 8m high and will have the names of 684 Indian indentured labourers and 29 individuals who perished on the ship Belvedere. Edwards explained that the sugarcane archer will consist of 684 strands representing the DNA of those who made the trip. This will then flow into the additional bronze that has now been added, representing the family of the indentured. The monument will also include a pond to symbolise the ocean, water, and the journey the labourers made. Embracing the design is the Zulu nation's kraal, welcoming the indentured. At a recent sod turning ceremony, KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli said the R5 million project is set to be completed in November 2025, and that he had requested regular updates on the construction because he wanted to see it finalised. Prince Ishwar Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu, the president of Sivananda World Peace Foundation and Africa coordinator for Gopio International, a global organisation for people of Indian origin, applauded Premier Ntuli for his keen interest in the monument. Ramlutchman said that the Girmitiya/SA Indian Community will finally have a monument. 'This monument was unanimously approved at a mass gathering of Indian leaders. A life-size Indian/Girmitiya family with an Arch will be installed. The committee that unanimously agreed on this design will gather soon at the site to look at the progress of the historic monument. No individual or organisation will have the right to claim ownership of this monument, as this will be registered under the National Heritage department,' Ramlutchman said. Omie Singh, president of the KZN International Business Association, said this was exciting news. He described the monument as a tribute to the contribution Indian indentured labourers made to the economy of Durban, KZN, and South Africa over the past 160 years. 'This is a success story in itself that will pay homage to the work done in various facets to bring this project to completion,' he said. [email protected] An artist's impression of the 1860 Indentured Workers Monument that is expected to be built along the Durban Beachfront near uShaka Beach. Image: File
IOL News
07-06-2025
- General
- IOL News
Indenture history often ignored in schools
The first Indian indentured labourers arrived in Durban harbour aboard the Truro in 1860. The writer says in most schools today, the history of indenture is accorded only cursory attention and this leads to a lack of knowledge about the drudgery and poverty faced by the early Indian labourers under colonial rule. Image: File REMEMBER the old days when the teaching of history in our schools was so Eurocentric, you'd be forgiven for thinking human life only began here in the year who do we have to blame for that? Because history tended to be written by those in power, the only names earning mention in our text books were white colonial leaders. Prominent among them were Jan van Riebeeck, Simon van der Stel, Paul Kruger, Jan Smuts, Charles Somerset, Dick King, not forgetting Benjamin D'Urban after whom our city was named. In more recent years, the teaching of history was so distorted under apartheid that children were taught to laud the achievements and milestones of whites while the historical experiences of people of colour were relegated to mere footnotes. So, ignorance and the breeding of dangerous racial stereotypes flourished. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ A case in point is the teaching of Indian indenture history in our schools. In most schools today, it is accorded only cursory attention, leading to a pathetic lack of knowledge about the drudgery and poverty faced by the early Indian labourers under colonial rule. South Africa, and that includes many Indian South Africans, are totally unaware of how the labourers were recruited from India; their harrowing experiences on their sea journey across the ocean to Durban, and that when they got here, they were to discover indentureship was just a euphemism for slavery. Local teachers I spoke to say while indentured history is officially part of the syllabus, it receives only skimpy attention in most schools or is often ignored altogether. I particularly liked the idea proposed by Selvan Naidoo, curator of the 1860 Heritage Centre, to achieve a national approach to the understanding of South African history: "The solution would be to include indenture, slavery and the Struggle history (in South Africa) as part of the Grade 12 exam paper and make history a compulsory subject."As some wise person once said: You have to know the past to understand the present. Beware Trump's apartheid-like control Every year, thousands of fresh-faced young men and women flock to universities and other tertiary institutions to further their studies. Not all of them make it. But for those who do, it is the beginning of an exciting new chapter in their lives. In a flash, they are transported to a culture of independent thinking, problem solving and a cross pollination of views and ideas they had never encountered before. What an exciting time in a young person's life. I know because I had two bites of the cherry in my younger days - one bitter and the other, so sweet I will savour it for the rest of my life. US President Donald Trump Image: AFP The first was at the apartheid-inspired "bush college" for Indians at Salisbury Island. The campus was a soulless and discarded army barracks; much of the academic curriculum was narrow and uninspiring; and the apartheid authorities were intent on imposing ideological and academic control over students and the institution's faculties. It was only the hunger and determination of students there to succeed against such imposing odds that helped maintain a healthy balance on the campus. The second came after I was awarded a Nieman Fellowship to study at Harvard University in the US. What an eye-opening experience it was as the doors opened to a new world of international diversity in which free thinking and the experimentation with ideas were the order of the day. It was the best year of my life. That's why it's so distressing to hear that Harvard is today being bullied by that xenophobic president of the United States, Donald Trump who wants all foreign students at the institution out. And his reason for such repressive action is patently clear - he wants ideological control over Harvard's governance, curriculum and students. Which begs the question? How different is Trump's behaviour from what the apartheid regime did to control racially-separated "bush colleges" here not so long ago? Pay as much as you wish How would you like to go to a restaurant and when it's time to pay the bill, the manager says: "No, we don't charge customers here. You pay as much as you wish." Sounds too good to be true, eh? Well, I came across the innovative concept on Facebook recently as the manager of the Annalucksmi Riverside restaurant in Malaysia waxed lyrical about the "homely feeling" his menu provided and the virtues of feeding mankind rather than just a chosen few. Dishing out a delicious buffet helping of rice and veg curry, with some mango pickle, russom and papad thrown in, he said the concept was not based on money but love. Patrons are not charged, but can "give what their heart feels like". Reaction on social media was somewhat mixed. While some praised the concept, others were sceptical, with one saying "When you donate with your right hand, the left hand should not know. "Do you think the concept can work here? Dennis Pather Image: File
