Black, Indian racial conflicts under the spotlight

THE racial conflict of between Indians and Africans which broke out in Cator Manor in January 1949 resulted in 140 people losing their lives and more than 1 000 were injured. Buildings and dwellings were destroyed and damaged and shops looted.

Against the backdrop of recent incidents between Indian and Africans, the city hosted a social cohesion seminar to discuss African-Indian relations at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre on Thursday.

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Thembinkosi Ngcobo, head of eThekwini Parks and Recreation, said in celebration of Heritage Month the Municipality’s Parks, Recreation and Culture (PRC) Unit would continue to engage with stakeholders and the community through various programmes under the banner of PRC Week. “We are focusing on issues relevant to our city and the PRC week is happening against the background of re-positioning our heritage institutions,” he said.

“The Unit has thus far hosted several dialogues and seminars aimed at showcasing services provided by the Municipality and creating awareness about how these can be accessed.Various speakers will unpack the reasons and possible solutions to the ever-present tensions that exist between the African and Indian communities. In the recent past, business people in the townships expressed their unhappiness about Indians doing business in their areas. Against this background it is obvious that hostilities between Africans and Indians still exist on many fronts,” he said.

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