Market hero remembered
A FEARLESS champion and leader – that’s how Harry Ramlal, who ran the historic Early Morning Market in Durban’s Warwick Avenue, will be remembered by his family and colleagues.
The 59-year-old Merebank grandfather of two died in hospital last Wednesday following a short illness. He was chairperson of the market association.
Describing his father as “the strongest man” he knew, Umesh Ramlal said his family was now concentrating on keeping his legacy alive.
“As a young boy, my father would toil in the market alongside his parents. His hard work and tenacity saw him take on the city, preventing them from demolishing the market.
“My father stood up for what he believed in and we respected him for these qualities.”
Umesh said his father’s death had left a void in their lives.
“My mother, Shama, worked alongside him and this is a difficult time for her and the rest of our family.”
Paying tribute to his colleague, Roy Chetty said Durban and South Africa were immensely indebted to Ramlal for leading the “heroic campaign” to stop the eThekwini Municipality from “grabbing” the market land, which he said it had earmarked for development.
From 2009 to 2011, Ramlal struggled to save the market from the demolition bulldozers of “greedy property developers”, Chetty said.
Ramlal fobbed off attempts to sway his mind as the demolition of the market and the uncertain relocation of about 1 000 stallholders and workers weighed heavily on his shoulders, he said.
Affectionately described as “The Mother Market”, the Early Morning Market is over 100 years old.
Stallholders sell a variety of fresh produce, spices and flowers.
Chetty said Ramlal had a “rare combination of fearless courage, inner strength and massive confidence”.
“He locked horns daily with city manager (Mike Sutcliffe) and market officials.”
Ramlal was in the front line of resistance when City Police stormed the market on the night of May 30, 2009, “pushing and shoving elderly people out of the market, even though permission had been obtained for a night of remembrance”, he said.
“Harry was not spared the rough handling. As many would know, that was followed by a lockout, leading to the shootings and beating of the market folk on the eve of June 16.
“Such was Harry’s magnanimous and democratic nature that he readily encouraged members of the public to join his committee to chart the strategy of resistance.”
Chetty said that the Early Morning Market was still standing and operating today, “due largely to the untiring, selfless work of Comrade Harry Ramlal, a true son of the indentured”.
Ramlal was cremated on Sunday.