Sari salute
Women of all ages and races and from all walks of life gathered at the amphitheatre at North Beach on Sunday to pay homage to the sari at the 8th annual Beach Sari Stroll. A group of musicians led the procession along the promenade as the women, and some men, braved the windy weather.
HUNDREDS of women from various backgrounds, cultures and races turned out for the 8th annual Durban Beach Sari Stroll on Sunday.
The purpose of the event, said organisers Kamlesh Gounden and Natalie Lange, was to celebrate the beauty of the sari that has remained unchanged in its appeal and grace over the centuries.
Gounden said the eThekwini Municipality had worked with them for the past six years, introduced women of other race groups to the annual event and encouraged them to participate each year.
“They have frequent meetings with us and they are even meeting us this week to discuss this past weekend’s walk,” said Gounden. “They have been supporting this walk as it is the only one of its kind in the world and it’s held in Durban.”
Among those who participated was US Consul General in Durban, Francis Chisholm.
“I think it is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and promote social cohesion. I have been participating for three years and I believe it is a wonderful celebration of the contribution of the Indians to this community, to this city, province and to this country,” she told POST.
Chisholm walked with her sister Elizabeth, who had arrived from the US a few days earlier.
Both turned heads with their saris.
Francis joked she had opted for a new red one this time, lending her black number to her sister after a fellow stroller had reminded her she had worn it twice in a row.
Westville friends Ann Curry and Sherrill Wilson also enjoyed the stroll.
Curry, 78, the former principal of the Fulton School for the Deaf, often wears saris, which she bought in Singapore.
“It is a brilliant event; what really is impressive is the number of people who are not necessarily Hindu, the generous spirit – if you don’t have a sari you are given one,” she said.