Gandhi bust unveiled in S African coastal city
A bronze bust of the father of the Indian nation Mahatma Gandhi was unveiled at a city north of Durban.
By PTI |
DURBAN: South Africa and the whole of humanity had a huge "debt of gratitude" to apostle of peace Mahatma Gandhi, a senior Zulu leader has said, as a bronze bust of the father of the Indian nation was unveiled at a city north of here.
Mangosuthu Buthelezi, leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party and chairman of the House of Traditional Leaders, was speaking at a ceremony in Richards Bay, an industrial harbour city.
"South Africa owes a lot to Gandhiji, indeed the whole of humanity owes a lot to this timeless icon. We are moved by the huge debt of gratitude we owe to him, one of the undisputed towering figures of the 20th century," he said.
Indian Consul General in Durban Harsh Varshan Shringla spoke about plans to introduce cultural exchanges and scholarships between Indians and Zulu-speaking people both here and with the support of the Indian government.
Other than Shringla, local Indian-origin and African leaders were also present at the function.
The bust, imported from Karnataka, has been temporarily housed in the Empangeni Museum, pending plans for the establishment of a "Garden of Remembrance" where it will be displayed along with the statues of Indian leaders and Zulu monarchs such as King Mpande, who ruled over KwaZulu-Natal when more than 300 Indians arrived in Durban under British rule to work as indentured labourers on sugar farms.
The bust is just one of several statues of Gandhi in towns such as Johannesburg, Ladysmith, Pietermaritzburg and Verulam. There are also several streets named after Gandhi in Durban and other cities and towns.
Mangosuthu Buthelezi, leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party and chairman of the House of Traditional Leaders, was speaking at a ceremony in Richards Bay, an industrial harbour city.
"South Africa owes a lot to Gandhiji, indeed the whole of humanity owes a lot to this timeless icon. We are moved by the huge debt of gratitude we owe to him, one of the undisputed towering figures of the 20th century," he said.
Indian Consul General in Durban Harsh Varshan Shringla spoke about plans to introduce cultural exchanges and scholarships between Indians and Zulu-speaking people both here and with the support of the Indian government.
Other than Shringla, local Indian-origin and African leaders were also present at the function.
The bust, imported from Karnataka, has been temporarily housed in the Empangeni Museum, pending plans for the establishment of a "Garden of Remembrance" where it will be displayed along with the statues of Indian leaders and Zulu monarchs such as King Mpande, who ruled over KwaZulu-Natal when more than 300 Indians arrived in Durban under British rule to work as indentured labourers on sugar farms.
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The bust is just one of several statues of Gandhi in towns such as Johannesburg, Ladysmith, Pietermaritzburg and Verulam. There are also several streets named after Gandhi in Durban and other cities and towns.
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