Diwali Theme Park Gains Momentum
Its all systems go for the Diwali Committee’s 1860 Theme park. Memories of the last Theme Park still linger in the minds of the community. The Park promises to be one of the highlights of the Festival as the ideas generated from the public will see fruition in the Park. The park will highlight the arrival of the settlers from India and their involvement with South Africa. This will include their contribution to the sugar industry, schooling, business, education and the political struggle for liberation. Included will be the work of Gandhi and the Monty Naicker legacy foundation. The Diwali Committee encourages the public to send their ideas forward to make for a more glamorous theme park.
Excitement is also mounting for the first ever Diwali sports gala day. In line with the “sugala gala” held at the famous HB’s (Harry Bodasingh’s estate) in the early 1900’s, the Diwali Committee hopes to rekindle the spirit of those memorable days by holding sporting events that the community can relate to. This includes tug of war, bun eating, egg and spoon race, sack races, musical cushions, donkey derby and the ever popular three legged race. This event is scheduled for Sunday 23 October 2010 commencing at 11am, a day after the “switch-on”. This event is a gala filled day and everyone is urged to come in early. Meals will be provided.
Preparations are also feverously underway to get the Diwali lights up. Those traveling up the R74 may have seen the work taking place on the specially erected poles. The main focus however still remains the Bridge and the community can look forward to a new spectacular design. The Committee workers have expressed their pleasure for those motorists who have hooted to show their appreciation for the work done.
A first for Kwa Dukuza is the new lights that have been purchased. These are state of the art lighting and promises to dazzle the eye. Special imported lazer lighting will light up the night sky as never seen before. Special smoke machines will release smoke which, together with lazers, create a fantasy world from a science fiction movie.
The community is also reminded to keep all their pets indoors because of the fireworks display that will take place on the night of the “switch-on” and the night of the main function. A reminder for the gallant and helpful community members that give their help for the cooking of the meals is that they should contact Sherry Oudhram for the work schedule since meals will be served every night for the duration of the celebrations. Be ther or miss out!!
Week Long Diwali Celebrations On Track
Final touches are being put in place for the week long of festivities that have been planned for this years KwaDukuza Diwali celebrations. Over the years this celebration has become one of the highlights in the cultural calendar of KwaDukuza. The celebration of Diwali was brought to South Africa by the indentured labourers. Over the years Indians have left their mark on the landscape of South Africa. In recognition of their contribution, the Diwali Committee will host the theme park to highlight the progress of the Indian from 1860. This will be incorporated into the annual Diwali celebrations. The theme park is schedule to open on the 23 October 2010 and will remain open every night for the duration of the celebrations. Special tents have been erected to chronologically exhibit the many milestones that have been reached after the arrival of Indians on the shores of South Africa in 1860. Each tent will have a theme with stories relating to particular incidents that have occurred during the last 150 years. One of the highlights is sure to be the Monty Naicker exhibition. This hero of the liberation is only now being recognized. Another attraction is the contribution of Indians in the field of education. Many of the schools today still bear the name of the numerous funders that served the education sector with distinction.
An added attraction will be the fact that Religious organizations such as the Hare Krishna movement, Shri Saraswathi Prayer and the Sri Sanathan Mundal will be providing meals on the days that they will be performing. On all the other days, the Diwali Committee will be providing meals. Together with the Sai Group and the Divines Life Society, a full programme of events will be held on the various days.
The grand “switch-on” scheduled for 20.00 on the 23 October 2010 promises to leave the spectators in awe at the spectacular new construction on the Manor Bridge. The Technical team is working all out to have the bridge and lighting ready on time. The “switch-on” will be accompanied by a mini fireworks display that will set the stage for the mind blowing pyro-spectacular display scheduled for the day of the main celebration.
The sports programme planned for Sunday 24th October 2010 has got all the “old timers” excited as they remember the good old days of the sports events held at the numerous barracks that housed many of the Indians. The novelty items are sure to attract a large number of entries and the community are urged to come to the ground early as the programme starts at 11.00.
The main celebration promises to put up a show that will rival the expensive shows that are held at more glamorous venues. The enclosed marquee will provide an ideal venue for the bands to pump out their very own brand of music which is sure to have every one dancing in the aisles. The Diwali Committee are in the process of securing the services of two prominent guest speakers for the “switch-on” and the main celebrations. This years Diwali celebration promises to outdo all the other years. The Committee wishes to thank the Ilembe District Municipality, the KwaDukuza Municipality and all sponsors who have donated both in cash and kind to ensure that the heritage of the Indian pioneers is a legacy that showcases their enormous contribution to South Africa. Diwali symbolically represents the victory of Light over Darkness and Good Over Evil. The Diwali Committee urges the community to attend the celebrations as the years have proved that community members of different religious, cultural, linguistic and racial backgrounds have attended the function. Be there or miss out.
Programme for the week
Saturday: 23 October 2010 – 4pm
- 1860 Theme park opens
- Dynamic Flash Entertainers
- Hawan
- Naya Savera Bhajan Group
- Trisha’s dance Academy
- Naya Savera Entertainement Group
- Dazzling Stars
- Riya’s Dance Group
- Go Girls
- Official Opening, Switch-On and Mini fireworks display