Homage to ancestors
THE 1860 indentured labourers are forebears of Indian South Africans, respected by many and now never to be forgotten.
This comes after 70-year-old Kenny Padayachee erected three monuments in Sheringham Road, Overport, paying homage to the ancestors.
The monuments at the Hartley Estate Tamil and Telugu Cemetery are of Sri Siva Guruswamigal, a spiritual master and guru, and two of Indian indentured labourers working the fields.
“People must be reminded and never forget how we got here. We are who we are because of them,” he said.
“You can now come here and revive your memories and thoughts.”
Padaychee, of Overport, started the initiative with project manager Thomas Keller almost eight years ago.
“I am partially sighted, but before I lost my vision, I sourced old photographs of Indian settlers, so I have a clear idea of what will be engraved on stone.”
He said the aim of the monument was for future generations to look and understand the history of the 1860 settlers.
“We don’t even talk to our children about these things, but if we don’t who will?
“We need to educate ourselves, so that we can educate them. This (the monument) tells them not to forget their past.
“Our Indian forebears gave us all we have and they taught us survival.
“But some of us have forgotten our ancestors.”
He said he felt good about the monument and encouraged families to visit the area, talk about their history, and discuss issues about the slavery of the Indian indentured labourers.
The official unveiling will take place on May 5, the death day of Sri Siva Guruswamigal.