Gandhi’s salt hasn’t lost its savour for local march
MOHANDAS Karamchand Gandhi marched against British rule 87 years ago.
The Salt March may be rooted in India, but the “rainbow nation” embraces a South African version.
Last Sunday, hundreds of Durban residents, community activists and leaders marched from ushaka to the amphitheatre and back in the 13th Durban march.
Professor Sihawu Ngubane, a UKZN language expert, said the march ethos remained.
“Mahatma Gandhi strove for peace in our country. Everyone, black, white or Indian, has to strive for peace. Gandhi fought not only for Indian people but for all oppressed South Africans. We need to learn from this and deracialise the process.”
At the height of British colonial rule in India, the Salt Act prohibited Indians from collecting or selling salt and forced them to buy it from British traders.
After 20 years of championing civil rights in South Africa, Gandhi returned to his native country in 1915 and began the fight for independence through his Satyagraha (non-violent resistance) campaign.
On March 12, 1930, Gandhi set out from his ashram near Ahmedabad with a small Mohandas Gandhi collects salt grains at the end of his march. group of followers on a 386km trek to the coastal town Dandi.
Along the way, he addressed crowds and every day more people joined the Salt March.
By the time they reached Dandi on April 5, 1930, Gandhi led a crowd of thousands. He spoke and led prayer, and the next morning walked to the sea to “make” salt.
He and more than 60000 Indians were arrested, but the resistance continued. Now hundreds take part in a symbolic representation of the march in Durban, some dressed as Gandhi.
India attained independence in August 1947 and at 78 Gandhi was assassinated on January 30, 1948.