Squash courts transformed at Holocaust Centre

THE former squash courts at the Durban Holocaust and Genocide Centre (DHGC) have been transformed into a new state-of-the-art resource centre.

Mary Kluk, director of the DHGC, said the unused squash courts, which had been cleverly disguised with the opening of the DHGC and cafe, have been made into a space which will be well-utilised for conferences and talks, and also housed a library of books on World War II, Adolf Hitler, the Holocaust and more, as well as the offices of the education facilitators.

“The Durban Jewish Club was opened in the 30s as Jews were not welcome in local country clubs. At the back of the club further land was purchased and The Circle Club, the sports arm of the Jewish Club, was opened, offering squash, tennis and bowls. The squash courts were well utilised by avid players but as the Jewish community decreased in size to some degree over the years, part of the grounds were given back to the City. The sports club and club house section remain and the DHGC was opened in the downstairs section of the club house, to support the inclusion of the history of Nazi Germany, World War II and the Holocaust in the National Curriculum,” she said.

She said the Circle Club is now the Circle Cafe, the coffee shop at the DHGC, and the courts which were less and less used, were converted into the Victor Daitz Resource Centre.

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“Construction began in January and the centre was opened in May. We are now finding our feet and getting used to using the facility,” she said.

Mary said the DHGC is dedicated to creating a more caring and just society in which human rights and diversity are respected and valued and its schools programme is the essence of its work. Last year alone over 5000 learners from schools across the province visited the Centre and took part in the workshops.

“Given the shocking upsurge in hate crime and hate speech, the Centre rolled out a series of social justice issues and adult education workshops which use the history of Nazi Germany and the Holocaust as an example of how a democratic society can descend into unspeakable atrocity through propaganda and prejudice. Through exploring the past current issues of racism, discrimination and intolerance in ourselves and our society today can be examined and addressed. We help 60 children a day to understand they have a choice of how to act each day, and that they need to make positive choices,” she said.

Mary said she was confident the new centre will help expand on the excellent work the DHGC has done over the years.

She said the DHGC had also recently updated its permanent exhibition which was well worth a visit.

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