Walk marks protest centenary
MORE than 3 000 people are expected to take part in a reenactment at the end of the month of anti-government protests 100 years ago.
The Volksrust commemorative walk on November 30 will mark the anniversaries of several significant protests. They include the 1913 pass law defiance campaign led by Charlotte Maxeke in the Free State and a protest the same year led by Kasturba Gandhi, wife of Mahatma Gandhi, against a court ruling that nullified Hindu and Muslim marriages.
The walk will also commemorate resistance to restrictive travel laws and to a £3 tax imposed on Indians who refused to sign up for fresh periods of indentured service.
Ela Gandhi, granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, said the walk would celebrate the role of women in the peaceful protests of that era.
One of them was Valliama Mudliar, who led one of the key protests of that year, mobilising coal miners to join a protest over taxes and the marriage issue.
“Valliama was 16 at the time — she was one of the youngest people to participate and she was instrumental in organising the workers,” said Gandhi.
“At a young age, she displayed so much courage and resilience.
The walk is being organised by, among others, the Gandhi Development Trust and the Department of Correctional Services.
Those interested in participating in the walk may email sm@gdt.org.za with their contact details and the number of people they will be attending with by November 26.