WILL DURBAN BECOME A HOLLYWOOD OR BOLLYWOOD ONE DAY? A SPEECH BY DEPUTY MAYOR LOGIE NAIDOO

 Researched and Written by Marlan Padayachee, Speechwriter to Logie Naidoo, Deputy Mayor of the City of Durban, eThekwini Municipality, South Africa.

A PAPER PRESENTED BY COUNCILLOR LOGIE NAIDOO, DEPUTY MAYOR OF THE ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY, CITY OF DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA, AT THE ANNUAL PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS IN CHENNAI, INDIA, FROM 7-9 JANUARY 2009.
TOPIC: CULTURAL ENTERTAINMENT AND MOVIE INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES BETWEEN INDIA AND DURBAN.
THANK YOU, PROGRAMME DIRECTOR.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
DISTINGUISHED DELEGATES AND DIGNITARIES.
AS THE DEPUTY MAYOR OF THE ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY AND THE CITY OF DURBAN IN SOUTH AFRICA, I HAVE IMMENSE PRIDE AND PLEASURE IN RECOGNISING THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS GLOBAL GATHERING OF PEOPLE OF INDIAN ORIGIN THAT HAS COME TO GAIN PROMINENCE IN THE INDIAN DIASPORA STAGE AS THE PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS.
THE HONOURABLE CHIEF MINISTERS, MINISTERS AND MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT.
THE MINISTRY OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS.
THE STATE GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU.
THE CONFEDERATION OF INDIAN INDUSTRY.
CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY.
CORPORATE AND BUSINESS LEADERS.
THE PEOPLE OF CHENNAI AND TAMIL NADU.
THE PEOPLE OF INDIA.
ALL STAKEHOLDERS AND ROLE-PLAYERS.
FELLOW PRESENTERS.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I WISH TO RECOGNISE SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES AND COMPATRIOTS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN DELEGATION.

I AM ALSO PROUD THAT THEY ALL HAIL FROM THE CITY OF DURBAN.
ON THIS FORUM, I HAVE PLEASURE IN ACKNOWLEDGING THE PRESENCE AND PARTICIPATION OF:
· PROFESSOR DASARATH CHETTY, PRO-VICE CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL;
· JUSTICE MOHINI MURUGASEN, ONE OF MANY WOMEN JURISTS APPOINTED TO THE BAR IN OUR TRANSFORMING LEGAL SYSTEM;
· MR THOLSIAH P NAIDOO, DIRECTOR OF THE INDIAN ACADEMY;
· MR AMICHAND RAJBANSI, LEADER OF THE MINORITY FRONT AND MEC FOR SPORT AND RECREATION IN THE KWAZULU-NATAL GOVERNMENT, AND MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, WHO WAS APPOINTED TO THE PROVINCIAL CABINET BY THE RULING AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS.
GOOD MORNING/GOOD AFTERNOON.
HAVING PREVIOUSLY ATTENDED THE PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS IN NEW DELHI, I MUST SALUTE THE JOINT ORGANISERS FOR THEIR FLEXIBILITY IN BRINGING THIS ANNUAL SOCIAL AND BUSINESS NETWORKING PLATFORM TO THE SOUTH EASTERN SHORES OF THIS ANCIENT CIVILISATION THAT IS INEXTRICABLY TIED TO OUR HISTORY, HERITAGE, LEGACY AND DESTINY IN SOUTH AFRICA.
NO ONE WOULD BE MORE THRILLED OR OVERWHELMED THAN ME IF THE PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS IS EXPORTED BEYOND THESE SACRED SHORES TO DURBAN, ON THE SOUTH EASTERN TIP OF AFRICA.
AS A SISTER-CITY OF CHENNAI, ANY INITIATIVE TO FLY THE FLAG OF THE PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS IN DURBAN WOULD BE BEST DESCRIBED AS GROUND-BREAKING AND SYMBOLIC.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, SOUTH AFRICA’S DEFINING YEAR OF 2010 WILL SEE OUR MATURING AND FLEDGLING DEMOCRACY HOST ONE OF THE GREATEST SPORTING SPECTACLES IN THE WORLD, THE FIFA WORLD CUP SOCCER.
IN THE YEAR OF OUR WORLD RECOGNITION, SOUTH AFRICA’S INDIAN COMMUNITY WILL ALSO BE CELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF ITS CO-EXISTENCE IN AFRICA.
THIS WILL BE A NOSTALGIC MILESTONE, IN WHICH INDIA’S FATHER OF THE NATION, MOHANDAS KARAMCHAND GANDHI, HAD A HAND IN SHAPING OUR DESTINY FROM THE SHACKLES OF COLONIAL-APARTHEID RULE.
FOR THIS PRICELESS AND SELFLESS CONTRIBUTION MADE BY GANDHIJI, INDIAN SOUTH AFRICANS, OF WHICH THE MAJORITY LIVE, WORK AND THRIVE IN THE CITY OF DURBAN, ARE INDEBTED AND GRATEFUL TO MOTHER INDIA.
LET ME PAUSE AT THIS STAGE TO SHARE WITH YOU A HISTORICAL TIMELINE OF OUR SHARED EXPERIENCE.
THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS, THE MAJORITY PARTY IN DURBAN, AND MOST PART OF OUR REPUBLIC, HAS ENJOYED, AND CONTINUES TO ENJOY, A LONG-STANDING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CONGRESS PARTY OF INDIA EVER SINCE INDIAN AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS, SHRI SAROJINI NAIDOO DECLARED APARTHEID A CRIME TO HUMANITY IN THE 1940s.
EVER SINCE SHRI LATHA REDDY OPENED THE FIRST INDIAN CONSULATE IN DURBAN IN 1993, INDIA IS REMAINS A KEY STRATEGIC PARTNER FOR SOUTH AFRICA.
THE OPENING OF THE CONSULATE IN THE HEART OF OUR CBD HAS BEEN THE STIMULUS FOR UNPRECEDENTED TWO-WAY FLOW OF PEOPLE, TRADE RELATIONS AND CULTURAL EXCHANGES BETWEEN DURBAN AND MAJOR INDIAN CITIES OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS.
THEREFORE, OUR PRESENCE AND PARTICIPATION DURING THIS CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION IS TO ENSURE THAT THESE UNIQUE TIES ARE STRENGTHENED AND RAISED TO THE NEXT BAR OF MUTUAL CO-OPERATION BETWEEN A PEOPLE TIED BY A COMMON DESTINY.
AS INDIA AND CHINA JOSTLES TO EMERGE AS WORLD ECONOMIC LEADERS BY 2015, LET US JOIN US HANDS, HARNESS OUR SKILLS, TALENTS, RESOURCES AND CAPITAL AND MAKE THE SOUTH AFRICA-INDIA-BRAZIL AGREEMENT WORK BEYOND OUR WILDEST DREAMS.
I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT DURBAN IS READY TO DO BUSINESS.
I SEE THE MEDIA, FILM AND ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY AS THE NEW CATALYSTS FOR AN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL RENAISSANCE BETWEEN US.

I HAVE A VISION THAT 2009 IS THE CURTAIN-RAISER AND 2010 IS THE AFRICAN STAGE, THE GATEWAY TO A MULTITUDE OF OPPORTUNITIES.
SO, YOU CANNOT IMAGINE HOW EXCITED WE ARE TO MAKE THE BEST OF THE NEXT 12 MONTHS IN THE LEAD UP TO 2010 WHEN WE INVITE ONE OF OUR STRONGEST ALLIES, INDIA AND ITS PEOPLE, TO JOIN US IN CELEBRATING THE AFRICAN WORLD CUP AND THE 150 YEAR CELEBRATION OF INDIANS IN SOUTH AFRICA.
OUR INDIAN PARTNERS AND VISITORS WILL SOON REALISE THAT INDIANS ARE UBIQUITOUS IN DURBAN AND YOUR HOSPITALITY WILL BE AKIN TO HOME FROM HOME.
DURBAN IS HOME TO MORE THAN FOUR MILLION PEOPLE, OF WHICH MORE THAN 800 000 INDIANS RESIDE IN OUR COSMOPOLITAN CITY.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I TRUST THAT I HAVE WHETTED YOUR APPETITE THUS FAR.
TODAY, THROUGH THE PAGES OF MY PAPER AND A SLIDE PRESENTATION, I HOPE TO TRANSPORT YOU FROM INCREDIBLE INDIA ACROSS THE INDIAN OCEAN RIM TO A CITY THAT I WILL REFER TO AS AN AFRICAN PARADISE AND ITS PEOPLE.
MY TASK IS TO FOCUS ON THE CULTURAL ENTERTAINMENT AND MOVIE INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES BETWEEN INDIA AND THE CITY OF DURBAN.
WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE CONVENTION THEME : ENGAGING THE DIASPORA – THE WAY FORWARD, I INTEND PROVIDING SOME INSIGHTS INTO HOW THE COLLECTIVE SUB-THEMES OF LANGUAGE AND CULTURE, DIASPORA YOUTH IN 21ST CENTURY INDIA, BUILDING BRIDGES, TRADE AND INVESTMENT, DIASPORA PHILANTHROPHY, EDUCATION AND DIASPORA KNOWLEDGE NETWORK AND MEDIA AND ENTERTAINMENT.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, AS CHAIRMAN OF THE CITY’S ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, I STAND BEFORE CONFIDENT THAT FILM INDUSTRY’S KEY CATCH-PHRASES: LIGHTS, CAMERAS, ACTION! – HAS BECOME NEW SOCIAL ECONOMIC BUZZWORDS IN DURBAN.
DURBAN IS THE NEW STUDIO OF OUR BURGEONING FILM INDUSTRY.
OVER THE PAST 149 YEARS, WE IN DURBAN AND SOUTH AFRICA HAVE BEEN INSPIRED AND ENTERTAINED BY INDIA’S FILM INDUSTRY, KNOWN WORLDWIDE AS BOLLYWOOD.
EVEN IN THE DARKEST HOUR OF APARTHEID, BLACK AND WHITE FILMS RANGING FROM THE ALL-TIME CLASSIC, MOTHER INDIA, TO A VARIETY OF HINDI AND TAMIL MOVIES FEATURING SOME OF THE BEST-LOVED ACTORS, HAVE AN ENRICHED GENERATIONS OF INDIANS OUTSIDE THE SUB-CONTINENT.
TODAY, BOLLYWOOD IS AN INSTITUTION AMONG SOUTH AFRICANS OF INDIAN ORIGIN.
TOGETHER WITH ALL OUR STAKEHOLDERS IN THIS PROMISING YOUNG INDUSTRY AND OUR PARTNERS IN INDIA, WE ARE DETERMINED FROM CALCUTTA TO CHENNAI TO BRING BOLLYWOOD TO DURBAN. I AM PLEASED TO INFORM YOU THAT THE BUSTLING PORT CITY OF DURBAN IS ENTHUSIASTIC TO PARALLEL THE ESTABLISHED FILM INDUSTRIES IN OUR SISTER CITIES, CAPE TOWN AND JOHANESBURG.

I AM HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE AT THIS FORUM THAT THE ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY HAS OPENED THE DURBAN FILM OFFICE, A FORERUNNER TO ENSURING THAT OUR FILM INDUSTRY GROWS INTO A LANDMARK LOCATION FOR INDIAN MOVIE-MAKERS.

AS A CONVENTION CITY WITH A MYRIAD OF NATURAL HERITAGE SITES, WILDLIFE AND BREATHTAKING LOCATIONS, FROM THE BERG TO THE BEACH, A REFERENCE TO OUR SPECTACULR SIGHTS OF THE DRAKENSBERG MOUNTAIN TO OUR SUN-SOAKED BEACHES, I CAN ASSURE BOLLLYWOOD OF THE CITY’S MAXIMUM CO-OPERATION AND SUPPORT.

OUR AFRICAN PARADISE AND ITS PEOPLE HAVE THE CAPACITY TO PROVIDE THE BEST CANVAS FOR FILM-MAKERS TO ROLL OUT THEIR ARTISTIC AND CREATIVE GENIUS.

IN THIS RESPECT, THE DURBAN FILM OFFICE HAS RECENTLY TIED UP STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE KWAZULU-NATAL FILM COMMISSION AND THE DURBAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY FILM COMMITTEE TO BOOST THE LOCAL FILM ENVIRONMENT.

BY NOW MANY OF YOU WOULD KNOW THAT DURBAN BOASTS A LEADING MOVIE MOGUL.

I LOOK FORWARD TO THE DAYS WHEN ANANT SINGH AND INDIA’S PROLIFIC DIRECTOR OF THE ‘MIDDLE CINEMA’ SHYAM BENEGAL WILL JOIN FORCES TO COLLABORATE ON A FILM CHRONICLING THE MIGRATION OF INDIAN LABOURERS AND TRADERS TO DURBAN AND A STORYBOARD ENCOMPASSING 150 YEARS IN OUR VERY OWN STUDIO.

BORN AND BRED IN THE CITY WHERE THE FIRST BATCH OF INDIAN INDENTURED LABOURERS SET FOOT ON 16 NOVEMBER 1860, ANANT SINGH HAS BECOME DURBAN’S BEST INTERNATIONAL EXPORT.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I AM PLEASED TO INFORM YOU THAT OUR FILM AMBASSADOR IS FORGING AHEAD WITH HIS PLANS TO LAUNCH A R40-MILLION OR SIX-MILLION US DOLLAR DURBAN FILM CITY ON THE DOORSTEP OF THE CITY’S GOLDEN MILE STRETCH OF BLUE-FLAGGED BEACH.

THIS MASSIVE PROJECT IS BOUND TO REVOLUTIONISE DURBAN INTO A MAJOR-LEAGUE CINEMA ENVIRONMENT.

THE BENEFITS ARE ENORMOUS FOR ALL STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING INVESTORS, AS THIS MODEL ROLLS OUT FOR A CITY THAT IS NOT NEW TO MOVIE-MAKING.

I AM REMINDED THAT IN 1909, ABOUT THE TIME GANDHIJI WAS CHANGING THE LOCAL LANDSCAPE; DURBAN WAS THE FIRST IN THE COLONIAL COUNTRY WITH A PERMANENT BUILDING FOR SCREENING MOTION PICTURES.

OUR HISTORY REVEALS THAT A CINEMA CALLED THE ELECTRIC THEATRE FILMED AND SCREENED THE NEWSREELS OF THE ANGLO-BOER WAR FROM 1889 TO 1902, RECORDING FOR THE FIRST TIME A WAR HAD BEEN FILMED ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.
THIS LED TO THE PRODUCTION OF TWO FILMS, ZULU AND ZULU DAWN, RANKED AS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL FILMS MADE IN SOUTH AFRICA.

AS I SPEAK ANANT SINGH’S LATEST MOVIE, MR BONES 2 THAT WAS SHOT ON LOCATION IN DURBAN WITH THE SUPPORT OF OUR MUNICIPALITY IS A BOX-OFFICE HIT, TOPPING ALMOST R20 MILLION IN THE FIRST THREE WEEKS.

THE PREMIERE OF THIS DELIGHTFUL NEW EXPORT WAS HELD IN DURBAN, ANOTHER INDICATOR OF JUST HOW SERIOUS WE ARE TO TURN THE FILM INDUSTRY ON ITS HEAD.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, DURBAN’S CINEMATIC WHEEL IS READY TO SPIN INTO A SUCCESS STORY.

BUT BEFORE THAT THE CITY OWES ITS NEW BENCHMARKING IN THE FILM INDUSTRY TO THE DURBAN FILM FESTIVAL.

NOW KNOWN AS THE DURBAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL IN ITS 31ST YEAR, THE ORIGINAL DURBAN FILM CIRCLE PROVIDED A HOME FOR ALTERNATIVE FILM MAKING.

WHEN APARTHEID LAWS BLACKED OUT SCREENING OF FILMS AND PROHIBITED MIXED-RACE AUDIENCE, THE FILM CIRCLE SCREENED ART HOUSE MOVIES TO MULTIRACIAL PATRONS AT CAMPUS HALLS ON SUNDAY NIGHTS.

RUNNING PARALLEL TO THE LIBERATION STRUGGLE IN THE 1980s, ACTIVISTS LOBBIED TO DEMOCRATISE THE FILM AND TELEVISION INDUSTRY TO UNDERMINE APARTHEID PROPAGANDA.
DURING THIS ERA THE APARTHEID GOVERNMENT SUBSIDISED FILM-MAKING FOR ITS PROPAGANDA PURPOSE.

HOWEVER, TODAY, OUR DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT HAS PUT IN PLACE A FILM AND PUBLICATIONS BOARD THAT MONITORS THE INDUSTRY, INCLUDING THE SPECTRUM OF THE ANIMATION INDUSTRY.

IN FACT, THE NEW GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS FILM-MAKING INITIATIVES AND INCENTIVES ARE OFFERED TO ENSURE THAT FILM-MAKERS CAN EVEN SHOOT LOW-BUDGET FILMS AGAINST OUR FASCINATING BACKDROPS, SIGHTS AND SOUNDS.

SINCE OUR MARCH TO FREEDOM IN 1994, WE HAVE MANY STORIES TO TELL AND DOCUMENT THEM VIA OUR FILM STUDIO IN THE MAKING.

DURBAN IS CENTRAL TO THE COLLECTIVE CONTRIBUTION OF FILM-MAKING, PROVIDING AFFORDABLE LABOUR AND INFRASTRUCTURE, AND DIVERSE CANVAS OF LOCATIONS SUITED FOR 320 DAYS OF SUNSHINE AND GOOD WEATHER.

I AM CONVINCED THAT DURBAN IS BECOMING A POPULAR LOCATION FOR INTERNATIONAL DIRECTORS AND PRODUCERS.

WITH DURBAN BOASTING THE BIGGEST AND LONGEST RUNNING INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL IN SOUTH AFRICA, I BELIEVE WE HAVE THE EXPERTISE, KNOW-HOW, PEOPLE AND LOCATIONS TO
ENSURE THAT THE REELS ARE READY TO ROLL.

I THEREFORE WISH TO ASSURE YOU THAT THE DURBAN FILM OFFICE HAS THE CAPACITY AND EXPERTISE TO FACILITATE MOVIE PRODUCTIONS RANGING FROM FULL-LENGTH FILMS TO DOCUMENTARIES AND ADVERTISING PRODUCTIONS FROM LOCAL TO WORLD BRANDS.

THROUGH THE FILMING OF TWO BOLLYWOOD PRODUCTIONS, DOOM 2 AND RACE, FEATURING AMONG THE BOLLYWOOD SCREEN LEGENDS, ASIHWARAYA RAI AND HRITHIK ROSHAN, DURBAN HAD PROVIDED ROAD CLOSURES AND FACILITIES FOR SOME SPECTACULAR STUNTS.

AS PART OF THE CITY’S 2020 VISION TO CREATE A BETTER LIFE FOR ALL OUR CITIZENS, DURBAN ENCOURAGES THE RECRUITMENT OF LOCAL EXTRAS AND STAFF, WHILE PROVIDING CATERING AND THE COST OF PRODUCTION FOR FOREIGN CAST AND CREWS.

WITHIN THE ENTERTAINMENT REALM, DURBAN OFFERS A WORLD-CLASS VENUE FOR LIVE INTERNATIONAL SHOWS AT THE MUNICIPAL-OWNED INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE THAT HAS HOUSED HUNDREDS OF WORLD CONVENTIONS SINCE THE 1990S.

EVER SINCE INDIA’S ICONIC FILM LEGEND AMITABH BACHCHAN STAGED THE BIGGEST OPEN-AIR MUSIC CONCERT IN DURBAN, THE CITY HAS NEVER LOOKED BACKED AND HAS HOSTED SUPERSTARS RANGING FROM MICHAEL JACKSON TO UB40.

OUR NEW WORLD CUP STADIUM IS BEING DESIGNED TO HOST THE BIGGEST SHOWS FROM ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE PROMOTERS TO BRING INDIAN ENTERTAINMENT TO DURBAN.

CLASSICAL MUSIC IS HUGELY POPULAR AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE BEST OF THE BHARAT-NATYAM AND KATHAK DANCERS PERFORMING FOR OUR CITIZENS.

THE CITY WOULD ENCOURAGE CULTURAL EXCHANGES IN INDIAN MUSIC AND DANCE INVOLVING OUR INDIAN AND AFRICAN STUDENTS.

MORE THAN EVER, WE NEED TO KEEP THE CULTURAL FLAME BURNING AND THIS COULD BE ENHANCED BY FORGING LINKS THROUGH DURBAN’S SISTER-CITY STATUS WITH CHENNAI AND OTHER INDIAN CITIES.

HAVING SKETCHED SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS AS TO WHY INDIA SHOULD BRING BOLLYWOOD OR ITS ENTERTAINMENT ACTS TO DURBAN LET ME SUPPORT MY BID TO OFFER DURBAN AS THE NEW FILM-MAKING AND ENTERTAINMENT MECCA TO THE WORLD.

· AS A SOCIALITE IN A CITY WHERE THE SUN NEVER SETS, I CAN TESTIFY THAT DURBAN HAS A MUSICAL SOIL FOR EVERYONE FROM MUSICOLOGISTS TO THE RHYTHMIC RAPPER TO LEAVE THEIR FOOTPRINTS.

· FIRSTLY, THE CITY CONTIUNUES TO POUR MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO BRAND MARKETING DURBAN AS AN INTERNATIONAL TOURIST DESTINATION AND LANDMARK LOCATION SITUATED AS A GATEWAY INTO AFRICA.

· DURBAN IS ONE OF THE GREAT CITIES IN AFRICA, THE THIRD LARGEST IN SOUTH AFRICA, AND AN ECONOMIC HUB AND LINKAGE INTO SOUTHERN AFRICA.

· AS WE PREPARE FOR 2010, THE CITY IS ROLLING OUT MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS, INCLUDING OUR R1, 6 BILLION GIANT STADIUM WITH A SEATING CAPACITY OF 70 000.

· OUR INDIAN INVESTORS AND VISITORS CAN EXPECT TO TOUCH DOWN AT A MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OVERLOOKING THE INDIAN OCEAN.

· TAKE MY WORD FOR IT THAT DURBAN OFFERS VISITORS, INVESTORS AND CITIZENS AN EXCITING GLIMPSE INTO A POSITIVE FUTURE.

· DURBAN’S COSMOPOLITAN PROFILING AND OUR SPECTRUM OF CULTURES, SIGHTS AND SOUNDS, AND AS WELL AS AUTHENTIC INDIAN, AFRICAN AND WESTERN CUISINES, AND HOMEGROWN HOSPITALITY, CONTRIBUTES TO SOUTH AFRICA’S NATIONAL CULTURE.

· OUR TAGLINE, ONE CITY, MANY CULTURES, MAKES DURBAN A UNIQUE METROPOLIS WHERE EAST MEETS WEST AND BLENDS WITH INDIGENOUS AFRICAN CULTURE, RITUALS, SOCIAL COHESION, POLITICAL MATURITY AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT.
· IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL INSPIRATION, THE CITY’S STREETS INTERSECTS WITH TEMPLES, MOSQUES, SYNAGOGUES, CHURCHES AND CATHEDRALS.
· THE CITY THRIVES ON PROMOTING INTER-FAITH ACTIVITIES, HARMONY, PEACE AND TOLERANCE.
· AS A MULTICULTURAL REALITY, RELIGION IN DURBAN IS A DYNAMIC MELTING POT OF BELIEFS, THEOLOGIES AND RITUALS.
· AS A YOUNG DEMOCRACY, DURBAN HAS A PROGRESSIVE CITY GOVERNMENT THAT CELEBRATES DIVERSITY THAT IS THE HEARTBEAT OF OUR CULTURAL AND ECONOMIC LIFE.
· THE CITY’S DOMINANT ECONOMIC FACTORS INCLUDE TOURISM, FOOD AND BEVERAGES, AUTOMOBILE AND AUTOMBILE COMPONENTS, NON-FERROUS METAL AND PULP AND PAPER.
· DURBAN IS ACREATIVE BASTION IN THE SUN FOR TO SOME OF THE WORLD RENOWNED ARTISTS, WRITERS AND PERFORMERS.
· THE ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY IS PROPELLED BY A 2020 VISION TO MAKE DURBAN AFRICA’S MOST CARING AND LIVABLE CITY WHERE ALL CITIZENS AND WILL LIVE IN HARMONY.
· IT IS BOLD ECONOMIC INITIATIVES, PARTICULARLY TOURISM, FILM-MAKING AND ENTERTAINMENT, THAT WILL ENABLE THE CITY TO ACHIEVE THIS MEDIUM-TERM GOAL OF PROVIDING A WORLD-CLASS CITY AND A HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL OUR CITIZENS, VISITORS AND INVESTORS.
· WE ARE STRIVING TO BECOME A SAFER AND SUSTAINABLE CITY.
FINALLY, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I THANK YOU FOR BEING AN ATTENTIVE AUDIENCE AND I INVITE YOU TO ENGAGE ME TO EXPLORE ANY OPPORTUNITIES YOU MAY WISH TO PURSUE WITH DURBAN AND ITS PEOPLE.
ALL THAT’S LEFT ME TO DO IS TO WELCOME YOU TO DURBAN, AN AFRICAN JEWEL AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD.
I THANK YOU.
____________________________________________________
Presentation Paper researched and written by Marlan Padayachee GreenGold Africa Communications on behalf of the Deputy Mayor of the City of Durban, eThekwini Municipality, South Africa, on the occasion of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Chennai, India, 7-9 January 2009: greengold@telkomsa.net+00 27 31 266 5599/ 083 796 1762

AND THE OSCARS GOES TO ... - A REVIEW OF THE FILM-MAKING WORLD FROM HOLLYWOOD TO BOLLYWOOD

 DURBAN DATELINE:

Friday, 14 March 2025

SOUTH AFRICA

BY MARLAN PADAYACHEE

LEFT OF WHAT'S RIGHT

 And the Oscars Goes To ...

The World’s Annual Film Awards Extravaganza Bristles with Beauty and the Beasts

Amidst the torrential rains and devastating floods in my home province, I turned to the Oscars

for a respite. It was a time when nature’s fury wreaked havoc—destroying homes, claiming lives

in Greater Durban—and yet, Hollywood continued its annual pageantry, providing a momentary

escape from reality. As I watched the Oscar ceremony unfold against the backdrop of

snowstorms, fires, and the chaotic antics of a maverick USA president, I couldn’t help but reflect

on the timeless allure of the silver screen.

Movies, after all, serve as a classic form of escapism, a way to momentarily forget the

messiness of the world. For me, films have always been an integral part of my life, from The

Gods Must Be Crazy—with its iconic moment of a Coca-Cola bottle falling from the sky to the

feet of an intrepid Khoi-San hunter-gatherer in the desert — to the storytelling traditions of

Hollywood and Bollywood. Both are grand spectacles of narrative, just as vibrant and soul-

stirring as the melodies of Motown, reggae, or Ravi Shankar’s sitar.

This year’s Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O'Brien at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on

Sunday, 2 March, were no exception. As the Oscars neared their centennial celebration in 2029,

the event was again a glittering celebration of the finest achievements in filmmaking. Over 20

million viewers tuned in for the live broadcast, with predictions and previews abounding in the

media, hyping up the big night with stories of Hollywood’s brightest stars and most anticipated

films.

It’s a spectacle like no other, filled with celebrity journalists, TV personalities, and clownish

commentators like Guillermo Rodriguez, who lightens the atmosphere with his mischievous

antics on the red carpet by offering Tequila shots to start-struck actors.

This year, the Oscars were full of surprises and interesting nominations. Among the top

contenders for Best Picture were Conclave and Anora, two films with radically different stories

but equally compelling performances. Conclave, a tense thriller set in the Vatican, especially

timely with the near-death condition of Pope Francis, garnered rave reviews, while Anora, a

daring exploration of a young sex worker who marries the son of a Russian oligarch, turned

heads with its unexpected narrative.

By the end of the night, the following awards were announced:

Best Picture: Anora

Best Director: Sean Baker for Anora

Best Actress: Mikey Madison for Anora

Best Actor: Adrien Brody for The Brutalist

Best Supporting Actress: Zoë Saldaña for Emilia Pérez

Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin for A Real Pain

Best Animated Feature Film: Flow (a Latvian debut film)

Best Documentary Feature: No Other Land

Anora was particularly noteworthy, garnering five Oscars despite criticism that it verged on

pornography. The film’s success demonstrated the power of bold, nuanced storytelling, while

The Brutalist gave Adrien Brody his second Oscar, continuing his streak of memorable

performances.

Another notable international film was I Am Still Here (Ainda Estou Aqui), directed by Walter

Salles. This Brazilian drama, about a widow coping with the loss of her activist husband during

the country’s military dictatorship, won the Oscar for Best International Feature Film. This was a

historic win for Brazil, and the film’s success served as a reminder of the power of cinema to

bridge historical divides and revitalise national pride, akin to samba soccer, and dribbled Brazil’s

FIFA World Cup legend out of play as it packed cinemas.

But the Oscars are not without their controversies. Marlon Brando’s refusal to accept his 1973

Oscar for The Godfather, in protest against Hollywood’s portrayal of Native Americans, remains

one of the most unforgettable moments in Oscar history. He sent activist Sacheen Littlefeather

to decline the award on his behalf, citing the mistreatment of Indigenous people. The Academy’s

apology to Littlefeather in 2022 was long overdue, but it’s a testament to how the Oscars have

often mirrored the larger societal battles of the time.

Closer to home, the South African connection to the Oscars is both proud and bittersweet.

Charlize Theron’s 2004 win for Best Actress in Monster remains a defining moment for South

Africa’s film industry. In her emotional acceptance speech, Theron acknowledged her humble

roots, calling attention to the sacrifices made by her mother to allow her to pursue her dreams.

Her win was a source of national pride, and even President Thabo Mbeki declared a national

day in her honour.

On the local front, films like Yesterday (2004), Tsotsi (2005), and District 9 (2009) were

nominated for Oscars, but none of them won. This year, The Last Ranger, a true-life film about

rhino poaching, was nominated for Best Live Action Short Film, but did not win. While South

Africa continues to make strides in the global film industry, there’s a sense that some of our

most impactful stories—Cry, the Beloved Country and Long Walk to Freedom—have yet to

capture the Oscar-winning magic, despite the backing of Durban’s movie-making mogul Anant

Singh.

People and names are at the heart of our media business. Here are the actors who made us

proud:

Charlize Theron – South Africa's most internationally recognized actress, with an Oscar

win for Monster (2003) and a nomination for North Country (2005).

John Kani – A veteran actor and playwright, Kani earned acclaim in Hollywood for his role

in Black Panther (2018), continuing to represent South Africa on the global stage.

Sharlto Copley – Known for his breakthrough performance in District 9 (2009), which

earned Oscar nominations, Copley helped elevate South African talent in Hollywood.

Leleti Khumalo – Renowned for her role in Sarafina! (1992) alongside Whoopi Goldberg.

The film brought South Africa into the socio-political spotlight and was nominated for Best

Original Song, “Bring Him Back Home” by Hugh Masekela.

Trevor Noah – While not nominated for an acting Oscar, Trevor Noah gained international

acclaim for his autobiography Born a Crime and his role as host of The Daily Show,

particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Miriam Makeba – The legendary singing sensation, who brought attention to apartheid by

addressing the United Nations General Assembly. Her activism made her stateless but

cemented her place in global history.

Across Africa, Rami Malek, of Egyptian origin, won the Best Actor Oscar for his stunning

portrayal of Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), further enhancing African

representation in Hollywood.

As the awards season wrapped up, I couldn’t help but reflect on what these moments mean.

The Oscars, like any major public event, are a combination of spectacle and controversy,

celebration and exclusion. For every film that wins, there are countless untold stories, unseen

filmmakers, and unsung heroes. As South African filmmakers continue to push the boundaries of

storytelling, we can only hope that the next century of the Oscars will offer more opportunities for

our voices to be heard.

Marlan Padayachee is a still-practising, award-winning, seasoned journalist and

photographer, with experience as a former political, diplomatic, and foreign

correspondent, and works as a media strategist, consulting editor, freelance journalist,

and publisher with MapMedia GreenGold Consulting (Pty) Limited, and may be contacted

via: marlan.padayachee@gmail.com.

CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN - Ahead of the Everest Base Camp expedition to Mount Everest, Nepal, April2025 By Marlan Padayachee

 From Mount Kilimanjaro to Mount Everest: The three climbers-hikers who kick started the bigger expedition to the Everest Base Camp in Nepal in April in 2025, as a charity climb challenge for the Mount Edgecombe Temple Society’s food-for-life project, from left, Anesh Rampartab, Subramoney Spinks and team leader Rajen Pillay.

Climb Every Mountain!

(sub headline) Intrepid charity climbers gear up for Everest expedition for feeding scheme

By Marlan Padayachee

An intrepid group of hikers and climbers from Durban, eThekwini, and other KwaZulu-Natal towns is preparing to scale the iconic Mount Everest in Nepal in April next year. This 14-member expedition team, made up predominantly of individuals of Indian origin, will be the first of its kind from South Africa. They recently launched the North-South Everest Base Camp 2025 mission at Suncoast Casino, with the goal of raising funds for poverty alleviation and a feeding scheme project initiated by the historic Mount Edgecombe Shri Mariammen Temple Society near Phoenix.

The North-South Hiking Club brings together climbers from the north and south coasts of KZN and includes two women among its dedicated, professionally diverse members. This passionate group of fitness enthusiasts hails from areas such as Port Shepstone, Stanger, Richards Bay, and Johannesburg.

Flights and travel arrangements are secured for the group, who will depart from Durban to Kathmandu via Doha, Qatar, just before the Easter long weekend. A specialist mountain expedition company has arranged all travel, accommodations, and logistics for the climb, which will offer not only challenging treks, but also breathtaking views and unique cultural experiences in the heart of the Himalayas.

The journey kicks off in Kathmandu, nestled between India and China, with the first challenge being a daring flight to Lukla—a small but notoriously thrilling airstrip with one of the world’s shortest runways. If weather conditions make this landing too risky, the group will travel by road, a five-hour journey that leads them to a trio of mountain villages. From there, the trekkers will ascend through the lush Dudh Kosi Valley, a trail adorned with rhododendron forests, prayer wheels, and suspension bridges draped in colorful prayer flags.

The team has already undertaken a series of preparation activities, including road races and hikes. They will further their training with a three-day session in the Drakensberg Mountains’ Sani Pass from November 14 to 17.

This major expedition to Everest was inspired by three team members who successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in February 2023, dedicating that climb to fundraise for community-based organizations in Tongaat and Verulam. Team leader Rajendran Pillay, a former high school educator from Tongaat, reflected on the success of their previous campaign, made possible with support from the Tabloid Media Weekly Gazette. He is joined by fellow hikers Anesh Rampartab, a fresh produce dealer from Sea Tides, and Subramoney Spinks Isipingo, a line manager in upholstery manufacturing from Durban.

The current climb will support the Mount Edgecombe Shri Mariammen Temple, a historic institution with deep roots in South Africa’s Indian community. Founded by Indian indentured labourers in 1860, the temple has long been a hub for both spiritual and charitable initiatives. “We are pleased to be associated with an institution that has focused on poverty alleviation and a feeding scheme for vulnerable people in Phoenix, Mount Edgecombe, and nearby areas,” said Pillay.

The charity feeding scheme is scheduled for the Easter long weekend, aligning with the climbers’ journey. It includes traditional holiday festivities and awards for high achievers. The climbers aim to elevate the profile of this temple both locally and globally while raising essential funds for its outreach programs.

Seelan Achary, chairperson of the Shri Mariammen Temple Society, praised the hikers’ mission, saying, “With each step and ascent, these climbers transform personal passion into a purposeful mission. Their journey isn’t just a physical conquest but a testament to compassion and unity, raising awareness and funds for those in need. This charitable gesture speaks to their commitment to turning adventure into advocacy, making every climb a symbol of hope and generosity.”

As they prepare for this remarkable journey, the North-South Everest climbers hope to inspire future generations, especially within the Indian and broader black communities in South Africa, to embrace this extreme sport. Through this expedition, they aim to make a lasting impact, combining the thrill of adventure with the spirit of charity.

·         The community-at-large, public, sponsors and funding agencies should deposit the monies directly into the temple’s banking account: FNB Gold Business Account 630 717 495 94,

Branch Code: FNB Crescent: 25 06 55, Reference: North-South EBC 2025.

 

TEARS, TRIBUTES FOR BELOVED TEACHER WIFE OF PROMINENT JOURNALIST 24 NOVEMBER 2024 - REST EASY, MOM - A SON'S GRIEF

 Rest easy Mom.

These soft and loving words from our son Deyakhar Padayachee will forever be etched in our minds, posted on his WhatsApp display minutes after he received the news that his mother has passed away to the Great Blue Skies near midnight on Wednesday, 20 November 2025 at the Parklands Hospital.

 

Pinky valued and treasured and cherished her family and friends.

Tributes, tears flowed for her passing. Her death was greeted by absolute shock and disbelief.

Indian entrepreneurial giant Ratan Tata said life has its ups and downs 

The passing of Venilla Pinky Padayachee, my sociable teacher and devoted wife has left a profound void in the hearts of her family, friends, and community. Pinky, as she was affectionately known, succumbed to a courageous year-long battle with cancer late Wednesday night at Netcare Parklands Hospital. She was 65 years old.

I agonized calmly at her bedside.

Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend passed away peacefully, her resilience shining through until the very end. She was a dedicated educator and private tutor, especially cherished by influential business families in Durban’s close-knit Muslim community. Her passing marks an irreplaceable loss to the community she served with such care and commitment.”

Pinky faced her illness with remarkable courage, even telling her oncologist, Dr. Riaz Mall: “Doctor, I have made peace with cancer; it is time to say goodbye.”

A Life of Dedication and Grace

A qualified teacher from Springfield College of Education (Class of 1980), Pinky devoted her life to nurturing young minds. In her later years, she became a sought-after tutor, leaving an indelible mark on her students and their families.

Although Pinky was a quiet presence in the media world, her unwavering support for her husband’s career bridged the spheres of journalism and education. She remained an integral part of the Durban social scene until her illness prevented her from attending recent events, including the SANEF Nat Nakasa Awards, but enjoyed the and the Fedhasa post-Covid 19 gathering.

Veteran journalist and SANEF regional head Judy Sanderson conveyed her condolences on behalf of the media fraternity: “We extend our deepest sympathies to Marlan, their sons, and the entire family. Pinky’s warmth and strength touched so many lives, and her absence will be deeply felt.”

Tributes from Far and Wide

The outpouring of love and respect for Pinky has come from across South Africa and beyond. Among those paying tribute were:

·         Dr Iqbal Survé, chairman of Independent News: “May her soul rest in peace.”

·         Viasen Soobramoney, CEO of IOL: “Wishing the family strength during this difficult time.”

·         Dr GK Nair, former rector of Springfield College, wrote: “God willing, I will use my walking stick to attend the funeral.”

Messages of support also came from Siboniso Duma, MPL and MEC for Transport, as well as philanthropist Ishwar Ramlutchman, who praised Pinky’s “radiance, charm, and dignity.”

From abroad, GOPIO International leaders, including Dr. Thomas Abraham (New York), Sunny Kulathakall (India), and George Varghese (Bahrain), expressed condolences. Former UKZN academic Dr Dasarath Chetty, speaking from an international conference in Vietnam, highlighted Pinky’s contributions to education and Durban’s diverse cultural fabric.

Faye Freedman, owner of Durban’s oldest taxi services, Eagle Cabs and Shashi’s Taxis, shared a heartfelt tribute: “She’s a special angel looking down on you and us.” Freedman and her late friend were regular attendees at the Durban International Film Fair and the Tourism Indaba.

From Johannesburg, Goona Padayatchie, the first Indian-origin professional footballer from the non-racial Federation Professional League, and a player for Bluebells United, Swaraj, and Soweto soccer giants Moroka Swallows, reminisced about decades of warm relationships with the Durban-based family. He recalled how he and his brother Kola Padayatchie were invited to pre-match lunches hosted by her mother, Janaki Naidoo, and brother-in-law Chris Naidoo of Parts Centre, at their home in Asherville. His Bluebells teammate, Rattin Padayachee, also shared fond memories of those cherished times.

Former ANC KZN Premier and MEC, Ambassador Nomusa Dube-Ncube, expressed her condolences, saying: “I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your beautiful wife, my brother. May you find comfort in the many good memories you shared with her and the family.”

Cyril Deva, a former Verulam Suburbs FC striker in the Federation Professional League, expressed his belief that she would have overcome the challenges of her illness, reflecting on her strength and determination.

Cancer survivor and graphic designer Rekha Ramjogi, of Gatekeeper Graphic Design Consultancy, was deeply moved, saying she was lost for words. She had believed that her friend was making progress in her spirited fight against the disease.

At the tail-end of Cats Stevens concert at the Durban ICC, we moved to nearest to the stage, and I belted out, sing Lady Durbanville, and Yusuf Islam - his Arabic name - promptly resounded: “My wife would not allow me to sing that song!

Pinky, seated next to our matriarch, enjoyed Lata Mangeshkar in Mbabane, Swaziland, Indian artists boycotted our apartheid homeland.

In the rain clutching our first born son, she jived to Peter Tosh at the same stadium, thrilled with the reggae superstar's guitar shaped symbolically as an AK-47 the iconic gun that win us our freedom 

Many more shows, concerts, dances, plays and speeches, Pinky was always at the ringside seat of an evolving new society, sitting behind president Nelson Mandela at the Playhouse and watching the Surialanga dancers strut their stuff colourfully with a new fusion of Barat natyan and traditional Zulu dancing choreography.

 

From concert to conferences, Pinky was upfront and close and was indeed the femme fatale of our family owned media and communications agency 

The Durban July always fell closest or on her birthday and she would wager rands on any racehorse wearing the Number 7 livery.

In the twilight of her beautifully choreographed and scripted life she finally threw in the towel, her sword of her fiery fighting spirit glimmering in the darkest few hours at the Parklands Hospital on Wednesday, telling her oncologist Dr Riaz Mall: "Doctor, I have made peace with cancer. It is time for me to go."

From his countenance, I knew the oncologist was telling me that the danger of death was looking, as Pinky grasped for life through a gas mask 

In the words of colleague and fellow political correspondent, now Dr Martin Challenor, and in his disclaimer to my articles on his WriteAway online digital magazine the Padayachee's are a family of graduates, reiterated by our neighbour Vernon Govender 

A media lrotege Vivaga Thambiran called me to paint a glowing picture of Pinky's dress sense, demeanour, dignity and decorum at social events, and we need to salute her as a teacher and academic.

Pinky was a born educator from the minute I set eyes on her. She was preparing for her matric exams when I proposed to a teenage bride. Colleague Cheryl Carter penned that Pinky was a ravishing bride-to-be at our engagement at the edenroc Hotel, a place that barred non-whites. Guest speaker, Post editor Garry Brennan predicted Pinky will produce a few cub reporters - and yes she did - three wordsmiths that she generously invested in.

 

MN Pather, recognised by the United Nations Special Committee Against Apartheid, spoke at our wedding at the Orient Hall on 23 December 1979 – an anniversary she has just missed.

 

In the 1980s, she produced two sons at the St Aidan's Hospital and grew them up the schooling way while making her classroom debut at Junagarth Road School, and later Parsee Rustomjee.

When it came to education her boys no expenses were spared. She proudly enrolled them at the Highbury School. 

She brought our third son into the postapartheid  South Africa at the Westville Hospital, where she spent two agonising weeks battling her failing health this month. Committed to giving our third son her own special expertise of early learning she left her post at Pemary Ridge to groom Deyakhar into a fine graduate, who in the past years of the curse of cancer rose as her right-hand, ferrying his mother to private tutoring lessons on house calls.

Out of this epic 40 years of teaching, Pinky lavished her state pension on her dream apartment at Gleneryhoff.

At the Durban ICC where enjoyed a seat at the top table, she danced with Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi at our friend Vivian Reddy's 60th birthday bash, and sat right behind President Mandela for the premiere of Professor Suria Govender's indian-Zulu dance fusions at the Playhouse Theatre.

Always the life of the party, as a loyalist she did not miss any family parties, gatherings or funerals.

At the tail-end of Cats Stevens concert at the Durban ICC, we moved to nearest to the stage, and I belted out, sing Lady Durbanville, and Yusuf Islam - his Arabic name - promptly resounded: “My wife would not allow me to sing that song!

Pinky, seated next to our matriarch, enjoyed Lata Mangeshkar in Mbabane, Swaziland, Indian artists boycotted our apartheid homeland.

In the rain clutching our first born son, she jived to Peter Tosh at the same stadium, thrilled with the reggae superstar's guitar shaped symbolically as an AK-47 the iconic gun that win us our freedom 

Many more shows, concerts, dances, plays and speeches, Pinky was always at the ringside seat of an evolving new society, sitting behind president Nelson Mandela at the Playhouse and watching the Surialanga dancers strut their stuff colourfully with a new fusion of Barat natyan and traditional Zulu dancing choreography.

 

From concert to conferences, Pinky was upfront and close and was indeed the femme fatale of our family owned media and communications agency 

The Durban July always fell closest or on her birthday and she would wager rands on any racehorse wearing the Number 7 livery.

In the twilight of her beautifully choreographed and scripted life she finally threw in the towel, her sword of her fiery fighting spirit glimmering in the darkest few hours at the Parklands Hospital on Wednesday, telling her oncologist Dr Riaz Mall: "Doctor, I have made peace with cancer. It is time for me to go."

From his countenance, I knew the oncologist was telling me that the danger of death was looking, as Pinky grasped for life through a gas mask 

In the words of colleague and fellow political correspondent, now Dr Martin Challenor, and in his disclaimer to my articles on his WriteAway online digital magazine the Padayachee's are a family of graduates, reiterated by our neighbour Vernon Govender 

 

Pinky was a born educator from the minute I set eyes on her. She was preparing for her matric exams when I proposed to a teenage bride. Colleague Cheryl Carter penned that Pinky was a ravishing bride-to-be at our engagement at the edenroc Hotel, a place that barred non-whites. Guest speaker, Post editor Garry Brennan predicted Pinky will produce a few cub reporters - and yes she did - three wordsmiths that she generously invested in. In the 1980s, she produced two sons at the St Aidan's Hospital and grew them up the schooling way while making her classroom debut at Junagarth Road School, and later Parsee Rustomjee.

When it came to education her boys no expenses were spared. She proudly enrolled them at the Highbury School. 

She brought our third son into the postapartheid  South Africa at the Westville Hospital, where she spent two agonising weeks battling her failing health this month. Committed to giving our third son her own special expertise of early learning she left her post at Pemary Ridge to groom Deyakhar into a fine graduate, who in the past years of the curse of cancer rose as her right-hand, ferrying his mother to private tutoring lessons on house calls.

Out of this epic 40 years of teaching, Pinky lavished her state pension on her dream apartment at Gleneryhoff.

 

Always the life of the party, as a loyalist she did not miss any family parties, gatherings or funerals.

A Loving Family and Enduring Legacy

She was deeply rooted in family. As a family, and my three sons – Michalen (Johannesburg), Karlen (USA), and Deyakhar – and three grandchildren, we will miss her sorely.

She also leaves behind six sisters, brothers-in-laws, nephews and nieces, and  their families.

As her hometown Asherville Sports Memoirs group fondly remarked: “Her memory will live on as a beacon of love and strength.”

Today, as friends and loved ones gather to celebrate her life, they honour a remarkable woman whose grace, resilience, and compassion touched all who knew her. Rest in peace, Venilla Pinky Padayachee – a life well-lived, a legacy cherished forever.

Tributes, tears flowed for the passing my dear wife 

 

In the 1980s, she produced two sons at the St Aidan's Hospital and grew them up the schooling way while making her classroom debut at Junagarth Road School, and later Parsee Rustomjee.

When it came to education her boys no expenses were spared. She proudly enrolled them at the Highbury School. 

She brought our third son into the post apartheid South Africa at the Westville Hospital, where she spent two agonizing weeks battling her failing health this month. Committed to giving our third son her own special expertise of early learning she left her post at Pemary Ridge to groom Deyakhar into a fine graduate, who in the past years of the curse of cancer rose as her right-hand, ferrying his mother to private tutoring lessons on house calls.

Out of this epic 40 years of teaching, Pinky lavished her state pension on her dream apartment at Gleneryhoff.

At the Durban ICC where enjoyed a seat at the top table, she danced with Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi at our friend Vivian Reddy's 60th birthday bash, and sat right behind President Mandela for the premiere of Professor Suria Govender's Indian-Zulu dance fusions at the Playhouse Theatre.

Always the life of the party, as a loyalist she did not miss any family parties, gatherings or funerals.

 

Rest easy, Mom!

* MARLAN PADAYACHEE - official eulogy at the funeral of Venilla Padayachee at the Clare Estate Hindu Crematorium, Reservoir Hills, Durban, South Africa, on Sunday, 24 November 2024 - 1-3pm. 

Durban Dateline. 

 

OBITUARY BY MARLAN PADAYACHEE - DURBAN DATELINE 27 JANUARY 2025 - Tributes for fallen journalist

 A raft of tributes for fallen journalist of note  

OBITUARY   | By MARLAN PADAYACHEE

Social Media Homage Pour in for Media Personality

This month-end weekend of January saw an outpouring of condolences as the media, sports, and broader communities mourned the sudden loss of several prominent figures. From journalists to soccer icons and political stalwarts, tributes reflected the far-reaching contributions and enduring legacies of the departed.

Losses in Journalism: The media world paid tribute to William "Paddy" Harper, a respected Durban political journalist whose commitment to investigative reporting and the pursuit of truth left a lasting impact. Harper, who passed away at his home in Durban, aged 58, was deeply rooted in the tradition of fearless journalism during the anti-apartheid struggle. Despite his white background, he stood in solidarity with black and Indian journalists of the 1980s, many of whom honed their skills at iconic Grey Street newspapers like The Leader and The Graphic, and Golden City Post, Post Natal and Post Transvaal, and Ukusa.

At the time of his passing, Harper was the political editor of the Mail & Guardian and had previously worked for publications including the Sunday Tribune, City Press, and The Times.

Minister Patricia de Lille, leader of the Good Party, described Harper as a journalist who “exemplified balance and integrity” and lamented his loss during a period when “press freedom is being tested.” Similarly, the KwaZulu-Natal Democratic Party noted Harper’s “non-partisan and investigative career” as a profound contribution to South African media.

A Legacy of Inspiration: While Paddy Harper was at the forefront of uncovering corruption and malfeasance under the ANC government, he also found himself making headlines in a more personal and tumultuous context. In 2011, his sister, Annabella Momple, the headmistress of Carrington Heights Primary School, was arrested at London’s Heathrow Airport on drug-related charges during what was purportedly an educational trip to Ireland and Brazil.

·         Momple reportedly informed colleagues she was attending a family funeral in Ireland but told her elderly parents and her journalist brother, Paddy Harper that she was participating in an educational program. However, it emerged that she had allegedly traveled to Brazil instead.

·         Her arrest became a story shrouded in intrigue and mystery, placing Harper in the difficult position of navigating a sensitive family scandal while being questioned by his own journalistic peers. The incident added a personal dimension to Harper’s relationship with the news, showcasing the challenges of being both a subject and a narrator in the media spotlight.

·         Marlan Padayachee, our weekly columnist and correspondent, reflected on Paddy Harper’s progressive stance in news coverage. One of the defining moments in their collaboration was the publication of Padayachee’s in-depth reporting on the Sri Lankan civil war. This included Padayachee's second visit to Sri Lanka, where he interviewed both the warring parties in the 25-year-long conflict between the Sinhalese majority and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a separatist group fighting for a Tamil homeland, Tamil Eelam, in the northern Jaffna Peninsula. During this period, many conservative editors avoided the issue, but Harper boldly published Padayachee’s article in the Sunday Tribune in the 2010s. The Mercury’s first black editor, Kaizer Nyatsumba, published Padayachee’s powerful piece, There Are No Winners in This Jungle War. This article stemmed from a fact-finding media visit coordinated by Dr Saths Cooper, a former Robben Island political prisoner and psychologist, highlighting the devastating impact of the conflict on all sides. Harper’s editorial courage ensured that Padayachee’s important reporting on this historic and divisive conflict reached a broad audience, providing valuable insights into the bloody war’s complexities and human toll of 100 000.

·         Annabella Momplé, a 46-year-old single mother, admitted to investigators that she was supposed to fly to Dublin, where someone was waiting to receive a package. For her involvement, she was promised a payment of R40 000. She was jailed for longer than four years.

·         Peter Avery, assistant director of the UK agency's criminal and financial investigations team, remarked, "The fact that Annabella Momplé was a school teacher makes this situation even more shocking. Class A drugs like cocaine can devastate families and communities."

·         According to the latest statistics from the British Home Office, 105 South Africans are serving sentences for various offenses in England and Wales.

·         Momplé's brother, Paddy Harper, confirmed that she had reached a plea deal with the authorities. He added that reports from newspapers there stated she had been recruited in Durban by individuals to whom her second husband owed money.

·         "She's made her choices and is now serving her sentence. However, we'd be deeply disappointed if the authorities don't investigate the people who recruited her—especially her former husband. She shouldn’t bear the entire burden of what happened," said Harper.

·         Marlan Padayachee, our senior columnist and correspondent, reflected on Paddy Harper’s progressive stance in news coverage. One of the defining moments in their collaboration was the publication of Padayachee’s in-depth reporting on the Sri Lankan civil war. This included Padayachee's second visit to Sri Lanka, where he interviewed both the warring parties in the 25-year-long conflict between the Sinhalese majority and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a separatist group fighting for a Tamil homeland, Tamil Eelam, in the northern Jaffna Peninsula. During this period, many conservative editors avoided the issue, but Harper boldly published Padayachee’s article in the Sunday Tribune in the 2010s. The Mercury’s first black editor, Kaizer Nyatsumba, published Padayachee’s powerful piece, There Are No Winners in This Jungle War. This article stemmed from a fact-finding media visit coordinated by Dr Saths Cooper, a former Robben Island political prisoner and psychologist, highlighting the devastating impact of the conflict on all sides. Harper’s editorial courage ensured that Padayachee’s important reporting on this historic and divisive conflict reached a broad audience, providing valuable insights into the bloody war’s complexities and human toll of 100 000.

Durban Dateline: 27 January 2025 

DURBAN DATELINE : AT the 27 th session of the World Economic Forum Forum for Africa at the award-winning Inkosi Albert Luthuli ICC, Wednesday,  3 May 2017. 

Marlan Padayachee on fourth visit to the USA

Receives Gopio International Recognition Award from the US Congresswoman Grace Meng at the Gopio International commemorative banquet at the Marriott La Guardia Hotel on Saturday in Queens, New York.