Indian heritage ‘labour of love’
November 16 marks the 156th anniversary of the arrival of Indians in South Africa and to coincide with this, the doors to the 1860 Heritage Centre in Derby Street, Durban, are finally open to visitors who will be able to conduct research, learn their forg
THE first phase of the 1860 Heritage Centre is almost complete and if you fancy popping by to learn about Indian indenture, the struggles, sacrifices and perseverance to overcome mountainous hurdles, then that’s the place to visit.
Vast improvements have been made at the centre since POST was taken on a tour nine months ago.
The entrance has received a facelift and the foyer has photographs and quotations plastered on the walls.
This continues as one ventures down the passage walkway to the reference library and archive and “The Story of Indenture 1860 to 1911” permanent exhibition room.
This outlines every aspect of indenture, and visitors will be shown a nine-minute video on indenture, directed and produced by curator Selvan Naidoo.
The MGL (Mandela, Gandhi and Luthuli) Wing, which lies ahead, is being completed.
According to the chairman of the centre, Krish Gokool, the venue, though largely focusing on Indian indenture, also looks at the broader contribution of political leaders and activists who fought for freedom.
Gokool said the next two phases, which would comprise areas designated for artefacts and memorabilia as well as struggle stalwarts, should be completed before the 157th anniversary next year.
“This project has been a labour of love for many of us, and now that the centre is taking shape, all the years of hard work are paying off,” said Gokool.
“We want to leave behind a legacy for our children and our grandchildren as well as for the broader community, regardless of their race and culture, and we are striving for the centre to become a tourist hub for local and international visitors and an agency for research.”
He continued: “This is a proudly Indian and South African heritage site and it will be the first complete multimedia museum of the history of Indians in this country.”
Gokool stressed that at a time when technology and the latest gadgets ruled the roost among young people, it would be a tall order to refocus young minds on taking the time to visit the centre.
“We will therefore make the centre an exciting destination for them,” he said.
“Interactive elements will be added in the next phase to attract the youth market.”
When asked what this would entail, Gokool preferred to say nothing for now.
The director of the centre, Juggie Pillay, who also fought the long battle for the venue to be transformed into a heritage centre, said it was vital that the Indian contribution to South Africa, as well as the forgotten heroes and heroines who helped attain democracy, be recognised.
“This centre will preserve history,” he said.
Curator Naidoo added: “It also establishes how minorities have been part of recording a new history in a democratic society.”
Naidoo said that when he started research into indenture for the centre a year ago, one incident sprang to mind that made him realise the importance of the contributions made by Indian forefathers.
“I was sitting at the dining room table reading a list of the names of those indentured labourers who had committed suicide from 1880 to 1911, due to the abuse they endured, when my daughter caught sight of the list and was startled by it. Then it hit home. Her forefathers sacrificed and suffered to ensure her a better life!”
Meanwhile, on November 16, Gokool, the president of the 1860 Heritage Foundation, will honour indentured labourers by holding an annual thanksgiving ceremony at Addington Beach.
As per tradition, around 60 senior citizens will be transported to the beach where candles, camphor and incense sticks will be lit during a prayer.
Gokool said this paid homage to their forefathers, who arrived by ship, and the tradition was started by his late father, Jumna Persad Gokool, in 1960. The senior citizens would then be taken to the heritage centre for lunch.
For more information, call Yatin Singh at 031 309 1858.