A Colourful Community

A colorful community
By Marlan Padayachee

In January 2009, local Indians began building bridges at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (Global Indian Diaspora) Convention in Chennai, India, an occasion that provides an opportunity to examine the perennial identity crisis facing the Indian community in South Africa who will celebrate 150 years in South Africa in 2010.

The Indian community will celebrate a plethora of projects marking their 150-year co-existence in Africa, a far cry from the country they refer to as the motherland or Thai Nadu.

While older generations are emotional and sentimental about traditional and historical ties with Mother India, the younger generations seek jobs and lifestyles in Western democracies, leaving behind the baggage of the past.

On the flipside, the hybrid of labourers and traders has the capacity to fuse this milestone into a continental psyche that will herald the first kick-off of the 2010 Soccer World Cup and throw Africa into a euphoric explosion of football frenzy. Their culture contributes to our cosmopolitan society.

A community with a history and heritage can offer much more to a country with the complexities and challenges of economic empowerment, nation-building, poverty, crime and corruption.

During the reign of the British Raj, agriculturally skilled Indians were shipped to South Africa and other colonial outposts to turn sugar cane plantations into new economies for the imperial industrialists, hence the term “green gold”. Peasants, faced with grinding poverty, were lured via the colonial expansion to work on the railways, mines, agriculture and domestic services.

After the SS Truro dropped anchor in Durban Bay on November 16, 1860 with the first batch, shiploads of semi-skilled slaves, professionals and merchants were ferried in droves. The economic migration ended 50 years later. The pioneers gave birth to a new generation, the largest outside India.

While the stoical semi-slaves transformed the green fields into gold for sugar barons, traders and craftsmen gave Indians an economic and capitalist face on this edge of the Indian Ocean rim.

It took a visionary, MK Gandhi, to change the complexion of how the business and the underclass Indians would map out their survival strategy and destiny in the face of discrimination that was also meted out to indigenous people.

In an Indian diaspora of 20 million, the local community stands out for a variety of reasons, with political resistance and an enterprising spirit ranking high.

The “uniqueness” comes from the work culture that they inherited from their forebears, always resilient in the face of adversity. Credibility came by siding with the oppressed masses. With this al-liance, they got rid of the colonial-apartheid leg irons.

Staving off repatriation, they sacrificed so much for so many people to enjoy freedom, social justice and human rights, making them a cut above the rest in the global village.

On the other side of the coin, the grass is no longer greener for working-class Indians, now in a similar position to poorer black workers.

Although Indians today are a formidable presence, enjoying social cohesion and economic advantage, and continue to influence business and politics, the legacy of the 1860 descendants has been left behind by change.

Or did the winds of an epoch-making transformation push Indians onto the margins of the economically empowered black mainstream, in sharp contrast to the role they played in the resistance to apartheid?

With 800 000 Indians in KwaZulu-Natal, 2010 still provides an excellent exhibition to showcase their 150 years.

Politically, the Indian swing vote is important to the national ballot, being split between the African National Congress and its dissident Congress of the People formation, and a variety of opposition parties.

Conservative by nature, Indians blow hot and cold. Always apolitical, they are cautious and put “place bets” on the political roulette wheel. They need to assimilate themselves into the nation’s heartbeat.

Yet of 1, 3 million Asians, two percent of South Africa’s population of 47 million, Indians are in the majority.

When they arrived from colonial India, they were termed Indian South Africans. At the Global People of Indian Origin gathering, they were called South Africans of Indian origin. They have evolved via political resistance to Indian-African or African-Indian.

Notwithstanding the sentimental journey, emotional bloodlines and poignant history, culminating in the triumphal spirit of humanity, the identity crisis is a post-apartheid challenge. This is further complicated by a strong identification with Bollywood, heart-throbbing ethnic music, spicy cuisines, sweetmeats and saris, demonstrating that the umbilical cord with Mother India is still intact.

That’s why a contingent of Indians had been busy lobbying at the Chennai Convention, hoping to sharpen their profiles, forge business opportunities and explore their ancestry. Significantly, Chennai is the port where mainly Tamil and Telugu-speaking labourers from the Madras presidency sailed for the “bay by the water”, and began to push into Africa.

Today, a legacy lives in the hearts and minds of a people whose forebears toiled from dawn to dusk under the African sun.

Marlan Padayachee is an independent journalist and socio-political commentator in South Africa.

Leave race issue out of it

Durban Welcomes World's Statisticians

VOTE OF THANKS BY HIS WORSHIP, COUNCILLOR OBED MLABA, MAYOR OF THE ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY, SOUTH AFRICA, AT OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 57th SESSION OF THE ISI CONFERENCE AT THE DURBAN ICC ON 16 AUGUST 2009.

Thank You, Programme Director.

Good Afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen.

I wish to recognise the leadership of the International Statistics Institute and the South African local organising committee.

Before I proceed any further with my vote of thanks, I would like to take this opportunity to pay homage to one of the finest mathematicians South Africa ever produced, Professor Thamsanqa Wilkinson Kambule, who recently passed away at the age of 88.

Despite the horrendous impact apartheid had on black people, the likes of the elder statesman of education, who mentored and inspired anti-apartheid luminaries such as the Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Reverend Frank Chikane and a generation of disadvantaged leaders and activists, had succeeded in reaching the pinnacle of academic excellence.

The reality that ISI-2009 has arrived today is a testimony to the worldwide resolve to rid the world of this horrific brand of racial discrimination and prejudice.

But let me also extend a vote of thanks to Statistician-General, Mr Pali Lehohla and the rest of his team at Statistics South Africa for choosing Durban as the preferred venue to host this gathering of scientists.

I am told that since its formation 124-year ago, this association is meeting for the very first time in sub-Saharan Africa.

As the Mayor of the eThekwini Metropole, I have pleasure in performing this civic duty and taking this opportunity of extending a warm and cordial welcome to all our distinguished delegates to this, the 57th world session of the International Statistics Institute.


I am pleased that Durban will go down as the dateline and destination for the significant gathering of global players in the statistical field and those developments relevant to shaping the world-wide statistical agenda will be discussed in this great hall.

It is most heartening that the world continues to look to Africa and that the ISI has headlined this conference “Siyabonga Africa”.

I join the people of Durban in saying: “Siyabonga ISI-2009”.

As a growing convention city on the edge of the Indian Ocean Rim, Durban has clinched a string of “first in Africa” bids of world conventions, congresses, concerts and sports championships in the past dozen years.

Let me assure you that, as someone who has implicit faith in Africa’s ability to deliver world-class events, this continent is imbued with humanity and home-grown hospitality to ensure that you enjoy an unforgettable African experience.

Also, the ISI-2009 Conference could not have come at a better time for our province of KwaZulu Natal.
Delegates are visiting at a time when Durban has less than 300 days to welcome hundreds of thousands of local and foreign football fans to the 2010 FIFA World Cup to be held under the pan-African banner of “Ke Nako – Celebrating Africa’s Humanity!”

I hope that the soccer fans among the statisticians will join us again next year.

As a progressive city government committed to its 2020 Vision of ensuring that Durban enjoys the reputation of being Africa’s most caring and liveable city, I am proud that the City continues to host important conferences which bring together delegates from around the world.

Programme Director, Durban is known as South Africa’s playground and our delegates will get to witness this for themselves.

We will be throwing an exciting beach party for all of you on Tuesday.

I am confident that when all is said and done during the many sessions of your scientific discussions, including an extraordinary session on women in statistics, delegates will enjoy our sights and sounds while relaxing and experiencing an exotic taste of our cuisine, culture and hospitality.

I invite you to take a peep at the Moses Mabhida World Cup Soccer Stadium to get a sense of our unprecedented development since becoming a democratic state.

Our list of sightseeing and tourism icons, coupled with restaurants and pubs and major shopping malls are endless.

From the fascinating eco-friendly tourist zone of the Ushaka Marine World to the thunderous beats of Zulu culture, heritage and legacy in the Valley of the Thousand Hills, delegates will certainly receive value for money at these recommended tourist high spots.

Finally, I extend my best wishes to all the participants as you prepare to spend the next seven days discussing and debating issues ranging from the challenge of building a supply of statisticians for the future to tackling how many official statistical agencies are faced with the accelerating challenges to build and maintain the range of statisticians that are required to meet the ever increasing challenges of modern statistical offices.

Durban, South Africa and Africa will benefit from your intellectual and technical inputs, intervention and sharing of your diverse knowledge economy.

With these few words of good wishes and goodwill, I place on record the city’s gratitude and thanks to one and all that have made this conference an African reality today.

I Thank You.

Durban Mayor Salutes Imagine Durban Team

Message from Political Leadership
By City of Durban Mayor
His Worship Councillor
Obed Mlaba

At the outset, I wish to acknowledge the work of the Imagine Durban team during its 2007-2009 term in raising the profile on the eThekwini Municipality’s commitment to current global issues such safer and sustainable cities, climate change, energy saving, conservation, environment and greenhouse gas emissions.

Spearheaded by the city’s Corporate Policy Unit, the roll-out of the Demonstration Project reached many communities and created enormous awareness on environmental issues in the urban and rural areas of the Greater Durban Region in the past two years.

Through our partnership with the Canadian International Development Agency, the eThekwini Municipality led a successful community-driven initiative on integrated, long-term planning for Durban. I am pleased that this project, implemented in conjunction with Sustainable Cities, a Non- Governmental Organisation from Vancouver, Canada, and the PLUS Network of 35 cities in 14 countries, provided Durban with an international platform of sharing experiences in sustainability planning and sustainable community development.
An added boost to the project was Durban’s hosting of a conference on Sustainable Cities in 2008. After South Africa hosted the first World Summit on Sustainability at the turn of the new century, Durban became one of the first global cities to have signed protocols on Sustainability and Climate Change.
As a progressive city, the political leadership and the municipal administration are guided by the city’s 2020 vision that reads: "By 2020, eThekwini Municipality will enjoy the reputation of being Africa’s most caring and liveable city, where all citizens live in harmony. This Vision will be achieved by growing its economy and meeting people’s needs so that all citizens enjoy a high quality of life with equal opportunities, in a city that they are truly proud of.”

As a city that cares for its citizens and the environment and that is why as a city government we remain committed to transforming Durban into a truly sustainable city by striving to achieve the following key focal areas and themes:

· Creating a safer city;
· Ensuring a more environmentally sustainable city;
· Promoting an accessible city;
· Creating a city where all enjoy sustainable livelihoods;
· Fostering a more caring and empowering city;
· Celebrating the city’s cultural diversity, history and heritage;
Through Durban’s Long Term Planning for City Sustainability, I am confident that the publication, The Power of Imagination, published by the Corporate Policy Unit, will chronicle the short history of the Imagine Durban project and bring to the public domain the 50 Lessons from Durban, South Africa.

May the “Imagine” concept continue to highlight Durban’s commitment to change ahead of the United Nations’ Climate Conference in Copenhagen in December 2009.
Hopefully, Africa’s contribution, concerns and perspectives to the governmental negotiations will lead to the formation of a continental network on environmental and Climate Change issues.

Message researched and written by Marlan Padayachee, Amanda Cele,Sally Nene, Sibusiso Ngema, all of GreenGold Africa Communications, on behalf of the Mayor’s Office, City of Durban, eThekwini Municipality, for the Durban’s Long-Term Planning for City Sustainability, Power of Imagination publication by the Corporate Policy Unit, 7 August 2009 / www.greengoldcom.com/ greengold@mtnloaded.co.za 083 796 1762/ 083 797 1762/ 031 266 0178, 266 5599 (telefax)

Durban's Little India

Grey Street lost colour as a landmark.(News)
Article from:
Post (South Africa)
Article date:
March 25, 2009 Copyright informationCOPYRIGHT 2009 Independent News & Media PLC. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
IN THE February 15, 1996, issue of POST, political reporter Marlan Padayachee wrote that "Durban's Grey Street, one of South Africa's most colourful landmarks, appeared to be slowly losing its niche market as a 'Little India' under the African sun".
He stated criminal activities, including snatching of gold chains from Indian women, had resulted in a substantial drop in the number of shoppers and tourists visiting the unique street.
He added "the city's world famous 1km stretch of sari and sweetmeat shops, takeaway curry and rice cornershops, tuk-tuks and taxis, cobblers and clothing stores, mosques and temples, was a dividing line where East met West".
Economic ...

They Danced in the Rain for Zuma's Socialist Nirvana

By Marlan Padayachee

HLUHLUWE is an unlikely place to be visiting on Easter Monday.

Hailed as a tourism magnet because it is home to the Big Five wildlife celebrities and the sacred wetlands, morning broke with a cacophony of hustle and bustle in the one-horse town. At the crossroads of this pineapple town, two worlds greet each other locals and visitors eye one another.

A microcosm of our society was coming alive. Whites were busy in their own world, filling up their tanks and stomachs. Blacks were working and others milling around, preparing for the big day in a town where the poor and jobless witness wealth on wheels.

Hauntingly, a picture of the old country began emerging on the grey skyline with rain threatening the day’s spoils of the new country.

Suddenly, the central hub around the petrol station and convenience centre gets busier with SUVs, with caravans and trailers in tow, competing with mini-bus taxis and buses for space.

Over the holy weekend, holidaymakers lapped up the beauty of the Big Five - lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino and other species of indigenous game, they marveled at the flight of pink flamingoes skimming over the Umfolozi. The day dawned for the homeward-bound trek back to the reality check of life in a rainbow country blurred by a fourth democratic election, shrinking currency, fuel shortage sparked by striking truck drivers and the daily diet and dossier of crime, corruption and poor service delivery.

A hearty American breakfast was in order as waiters rushed around, delivering piping hot plates of bacon, eggs and boerwors and steaming coffee.

The visitors appear to be oblivious of the unfolding drama taking place in the town centre, as if they had just visited another world on the edge of a paradise, a seamless catalogue of the sights and sounds of thousands of hectares of animals and birds.

Here in the heartland of the amaZulu country, traditional home of the descendants of the world’s renowned warrior-king, Shaka, the black townsfolk were preparing for a battle royal of new proportions.

This time there are two bulls in a China shop.

A giant colour poster of the old elephant of the north, Mangosuthu Buthelezi, welcomes people as if the Inkatha Freedom Party leader has just been given the freedom of the town. Elsewhere, there were scatterlings of the ANC’s picture-poster image of the new lion of post-apartheid politics, Jacob Zuma.

Both giants are wrestling for control of KwaZulu Natal. This is the heart of the amaZulu country where the country’s isiZulu-speaking presidential frontrunner is taking on the main opposition in their own battleground.

Hluhluwe was preparing for the Big Man. Thousands of young and old supporters, sporting bright yellow and green “Zuma for President” T-shirts, and waving flags bearing the picture of the cadre-commander who would become South Africa’s next political king, were ferried through the town in buses and mini-buses.

Brand ANC had rolled into town. Four sleek Mini Coopers, branded highly in the green, yellow and black colours of the ruling party, formed the security buffer strip between the proletariat and the political elite.

The spirit of this Easter Monday, unlike the sleepy hollow environment of years gone by, had resurrected a new energy in toy-toying politics. The young outnumbered the old as they jived in the pelting rain, waiting for the Black Jesus to bring them the Promised Land.

With a new burst of hope in their eyes, they danced to a new ritual and renaissance. A messiah was coming to town to bring good tidings for long overdue rural development, jobs and economic spin-offs.

But the crowds waited and waited, investing sweat equity for four hours in the intermittent rain with the only blessing coming from some sunshine.

Hundreds of kilometres away in the Inkatha strongholds of Ingavuma and Jozini, the singing president-in-waiting was winning the hearts and minds of voters to secure the traditional homeland again.

Then a shiny blue bird hovers over the dusty town. The ululating crowds go wild with excitement. To the rhythms of popular lyrics praising the Big Man, the election road show shifts into top gear.

With the electioneering out of the way, the support of the Amakhosi in the bag, the rally is boosted by four female defectors swopping their lackluster IFP T-shirts for the bright green and yellow apparel of the ANC.

A firm presidential pledge to deliver a “Better Life for All” falls far short of their collective expectations.

They had not waited in vain in a day of diabolical climate change to whet their appetites with bread and butter politics. They were waiting for Msholozi’s grandstanding of “Lethu Mshini Wami” (Bring me my machine gun) as he tap-danced his way around the stage to the beat of the homebred hitsong that has become the trademark of his meteoric rise (the fall is history) to African political royalty.

The ANC, more than the emerging opposition coalition bloc, will face the litmus test of delivering a socialist nirvana to the voters after the 22 April poll. Maybe, Christmas may come early to Hluhluwe.

Ends