THE South Durban Basin is a monument of the Anglo-Boer war, which forms part of South Africa’s dynamic history.
The corner of Thorn Road and Dudley Street, otherwise known as the Jacobs Concentration Camp site, houses a monument dedicated to 65 people died there, of which 52 were children. The last person reported to have died in this camp was the young Heila de Beer of only 15 years of age. Of those buried at the site, 19 died at the Merebank Concentration Camp which is half a mile away.
According to knowledgeable resident, Pieter du Plessis, the Jacobs camp consisted of mainly wood and iron structures which in general were a great improvement to the less desirable conditions and wet bell tents found at the nearby Wentworth camp.
“This important monument was a very popular site to visit during the 1980s. Many were foreign visiting groups that were interested in the history of the Anglo -Boer war,” he said.
According to KZN tourism, the camp site was opened in February 1902, and was in operation until the following year. The memorial site is one of the two in the area that honours the Boers who were imprisoned during the war and buried in the Jacobs Concentration Camp cemetery. It honours those who perished – mostly young children. There is a memorial plaque on the Jacobs concentration camp with a list of the victims’ names dating from 1899 to 1902. The camp was the last one in KZN to close in February 1903.
Sadly, the area is now neglected and has become an illegal dumpsite, covered in rubbish and a parking space for trucks from surrounding companies. There is no fence protecting the site and it is a far cry from its historical value. Not one grave is visible as both domestic and industrial waste can be found there, dumped by residents and businesses.
Residents nearby have expressed their concern and shared their failed attempts to contact Durban Solid Waste (DSW) for assistance. Although it is no small feat, DA PR ward councillor, Sthembiso Ngema, is determined escalate the issue, which is a growing hygiene and environmental threat, to relevant municipal departments. He also hopes to get like-minded stakeholders on board to clean up the area.
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