Indentured Indian labourers remembered at Tongaat
Two Ayahs, descendants of indentured Indians, Allumala (100) and Subabakiamma Govender (90), were also honoured.
The Shree Veeraboga Emperumal Temple Tongaat (SVET) held an 1860 commemoration event last Thursday to mark the arrival of the first indentured Indians in the country.
Held at the SVET Heritage Garden in association with the oThongathi Museum Committee, one of the highlights of the celebration was a talk given by 90-year-old Choonilal Vallabhjhee, who enthralled the audience with his wisdom.
The peace torch was lit by community elders, and thereafter candles were lit by all guests present.
Two Ayahs, descendants of indentured Indians, Allumala (100) and Subabakiamma Govender (90), were also honoured.
The Consul General of India, Dr Thelma John David, also graced the event.
As Tongaat is sugar country, Dr David visited some of the sites where the first indentured Indians began work.
Tongaat Hulett management took Dr David on a tour to the Maidstone Sugar Mill and the group was also hosted by Voermol Feeds to visit the Elsenberg Bell Tower. The bell would be rung back in the day to summon the labourers to work.
In 2017, Voermol Feeds honoured the pioneers with an inscribed plaque on the bell tower.
The last visit of the day was the Inyaninga Memorial Garden near the King Shaka Airport, where many indentured Indians were buried.
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