Book launched, Gandhi remembered
The book gives a brief account of the 21 years Gandhi spent in South Africa and the legacy he left behind
A commemorative programme and book launch took place at the SDS Temple in Forbes Street on Sunday evening.
The book in question is ‘MK Gandhi and his experiences in South Africa’ by Mr Rugbeer Kallideen, and the programme dealt with the history of Gandhi and remembered his ‘weapon of passive resistance’.
Speaking at the programme, historian and tourism specialist Mr Ray Heron gave some background history into the struggle, as well as the Battle of Spioenkop. He pointed out that history needs to be remembered, and suggested that a memorial be placed at Spioenkop as a reminder of the courage and hurt that takes place in a man-on-man war.
It was at the Battle of Spioenkop that Gandhi first saw the cruelty that the human race is capable of, which led him to use passive resistance in order to bring about change.
Ladysmith Secondary School (Lasec) deputy head boy Teneal Govender also gave a talk in which he thanked Gandhi for the freedom and democracy he made possible for modern education.
Former principal of the Islamic Educational Centre, Mr RG Reddy, gave a speech explaining the significance of the work Gandhi did. He told of how all Indian marriages were deemed invalid and so children born into those marriages were illegitimate.
Author Mr Rugbeer Kallideen spoke of the resistance which was led by Gandhi against the pass laws and the struggle to have traditional Indian marriages recognised. Mr Kallideen is the secretary and trustee of Gandhi’s settlement at Pheonix near Durban. It was founded by Gandhi in 1904 and was the first communal settlement in South Africa.
The book gives a brief account of the 21 years Gandhi spent in South Africa, from 1893 to 1914, and the legacy he left behind while engaging in the in a non-violent struggle against racism, human indignity and discrimination.
At Sunday evening’s programme, the statue of Gandhi was dressed in white robes and a flower garland. There were fireworks to celebrate the launch of the book and 100 signed copies were given out free to those families who attended. A lovely supper was served, and dancers entertained the audience. A fun and truly educational evening was had by all!
