Historic march re-enacted
THE annual Gandhi Salt March will this year commemorate the 100th birth anniversaries of peace icons Nelson Mandela and Albertina Sisulu.
Both activists were born in 1918 – Mandela on July 18 and Sisulu on October 21.
The Salt March, a free, non-competitive 5km walk, will proceed from the amphitheatre on North Beach to uShaka Marine World and back on Sunday, April 22 at 8am.
T-shirts and medals will be given to the first 1 000 participants. Registration starts on the day at the site from 6am or you can pre-register by logging on to www.saltmarch.org.za or e-mail sm@gdt.org.za.
Those who wish to carry the torch of peace for a while along the walk may also submit their names via the e-mail address.
“This is an important event on Durban’s calendar and we look forward to seeing as many people as possible attend this event. One can mix freely with ambassadors, members of different consulates and other dignitaries. Babies, pets, husbands and wives and children are all welcome to attend,” said spokesperson for the Gandhi Salt March Committee, Satish Dhupelia.
On March 12, 1930, Mahatma Gandhi and thousands of supporters set out on a 24-day walk in protest against the British government’s salt tax.
This was seen as the biggest passive defiance campaign of its time. Starting in Ahmedabad, India, and finishing at Dandi, thousands of people followed him and defied the salt tax by making their own salt. This act was seen as the first step toward India’s eventual freedom from British imperialism.