DURBAN - ARTS, Culture, Sport and Recreation MEC Hlengiwe Mavimbela said the design of the monument to commemorate the arrival of the 1860 indentured Indians was complete and by this time next year the monument would have been built.
The MEC said this yesterday at the commemoration of the 161st anniversary of the arrival of indentured workers in South Africa.
In commemorating the arrival of indentured workers on November 16, 1860, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Arts and Culture and the 1860 Heritage Centre, an agency museum of the department, marked the occasion with a landing ceremony and prayer yesterday.
“We are pleased that the consultative engagements with stakeholders to finalise the design of the monument to commemorate the arrival of the 1860 indentured Indians is complete, as announced by Premier Sihle Zikalala.
“Despite the challenges caused by Covid-19, as the Department of Arts and Culture we aim to have the 1860 monument complete by this time next year,” Mavimbela said.
She said the building of the monument would serve as a reminder and to educate the youth of South Africa about the country’s rich history.
“We will continue to host cultural events to preserve and promote cultural practices and enhance social cohesion such as the commemoration of the 1860 anniversary,” she said.
The anniversary event was also attended by the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Ravi Pillay, who admitted that there had been delays with the building of the monument.
“The commitment was made in 2010 and there have been delays. Last year the premier mandated myself and others to lead a process of community consultation. Part of the reason why it did not happen (was that) the community could not agree on what form it should take,” he said.
Pillay said the delay was also caused by the Covid-19 second wave and the July unrest.
Mavimbela officially opened the exhibition of “Wa Thinta Abafazi, Wa Thinta Imbokodo”, the role of women in the Struggle, at the 1860 Heritage Centre. The exhibition pays homage to the role of women against apartheid. It pays tribute to the role of Struggle heroines such as Charlotte Maxeke, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Fatima Meer, Lilian Masediba Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa and Sophia de Bruyn.
The 1860 Heritage Centre in Derby Street, Greyville showcases eight exhibitions that document the history and heritage of South Africa from indenture to democracy.
Among them is one titled Beyond Indenture that covers a wide range of topics from education to the notorious Group Areas Act.
THE MERCURY