Pretoria - A series of stamps in commemoration of the arrival of indentured Indian labourers to South Africa 150 years ago was launched yesterday.
In partnership with the Department of Arts and Culture, the Department of Communications and the South African Post Office two stamps were launched with a further two sets to be launched next year.
The one stamp features a sketch of the SS Truro ship and photographs of passengers coming ashore on the Port of Durban, while the other features sugar cane cutters to serve as a poignant reminder of the extreme hardship and endurance of the labourers.
During the colonial era, 151 years ago the colonial government recruited Indian labourers to work in the sugar plantations of Natal.
The Truro ship left Madras and anchored in Port Natal, arriving on 16 November 1860.
The Belvedere ship left Calcutta and arrived at Port Natal on 26 November 1860. The last ship arrived in 1911 and was called the Umlazi.
The launch of the stamps began with an inter-faith prayer ceremony in Belvedere Township in Tongaat and was attended by over 500 members of the community.
Two memorial peace slabs were unveiled bearing the names of struggle and resistance icons such as John Langalibalele Dube, the first President of the ANC, Ahmed Timol, Shanti Naidoo, Kader Asmal as well as Walter and Albertina Sisulu.
At the launch, Public Service and Administration Minister Roy Padayachie said the slabs were a tribute "to the sacrifices of the indentured Indian labourers and liberation fighters for their immense contribution in building a democratic South Africa we have today".
"The unveiling of the Peace Pillar is a symbolic gesture, celebrating the heritage of the pioneers, the courage and commitment of the freedom fighters, wisdom, passion and determination of visionaries of a non-racial democratic South Africa."
The monument symbolises the struggles of the indentured labourers and their descendants.
Padayachie expressed appreciation for the warmth that was given by the indigenous African people for having accepted that the Indian labourers could stay in South Africa and make this their home and the home for generations that followed.
"The Pioneer Peace Monument is a poignant reminder of the richness of our past, the arduous struggle and sacrifices of our forbearers and the immense rich cultural and spiritual foundations of all our peoples in South Africa.
"This is in honour of those gallant Indian pioneers, our forefathers and mothers who, due in large part to economic hardship so many decades ago, made a difficult but conscious choice to depart the shores of Indian and set sail into the unknown, across treacherous and unpredictable oceans," the minister said.
Throughout the years, the Indian community made significant contributions to the cultural, social and political life of South Africa, adding to the country's diverse cultures.
The ceremony, which was held at the Sibaya Conference Centre, was attended by representatives from national and provincial government including Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile and Anil Sharan, the Consul-General of India in Durban.
