16th Kwa Dukuza Diwali Celebration and 1860 Theme Park Attracts Thousands
The showers that threatened to fall on Saturday did little to dampen the spirits of the thousands of people that attended the Diwali Celebrations at the Stanger Manor Grounds.
The first part of the programme saw hundreds of schools children from different pre-schools and primary schools enthusiastically render there breathtaking dance routines with little inhibition. The appreciative parents and extended families sat proudly as there offspring gave off their best. Then it was time for the dance academies as they shifted the emphasis to another level. The best performances seen by the community had the crowd screaming for more as the dancers moved to the beat of ever popular Bollywood songs. As day shifted to night, the graceful dancers of Vishnu Sounds raised the tempo. With a host of special guest artist and a special international singer, the band pumped out all the latest songs to the enjoyment of the large crowd that enjoyed the entertainment.
The highlight of the evening was the presence of the direct descendent of Mahatma Gandhi, Ela Gandhi who drove alone from Durban for the function. She was amazed at the effort and attention to detail that went into the theme park as it portrayed chronologically the arrival of Indians to South Africa. She was thrilled with the stall depicting how Gandhi was thrown off the train at the station in Pietermaritzburg because a white passenger did not want him in the same carriage. In her message to the attentive public, Ela Gandhi issued a challenge to all South Africans of Indian origin to launch a legacy that we can celebrate in another 150 years. She thanked the members of the Diwali Committee for the outstanding work that she had witnessed and pleaded for greater co-operation between the different races, proof of which was already on display by the cosmopolitan crowd that graced the function.
Then it was the turn of the Minister of Safety and Security of KZN, Willis Mchunu who took the stage. Speaking without the help of a prepared speech, Mchunu displayed a deep sense of awareness on the contribution of Indians to South Africa. He reminded the Diwali Committee that it shares its existence together with the celebration of 16 years of democracy. In his address, Mchumu emphasized the role that the Diwali Committee has played in bringing about unity to our community. In a passionate appeal to the community, he urged people to get involved in the struggle against crime and corruption that has plagued our town. He was full of praise at the attention to detail and the service that members of the Diwali Committee display in holding such a grand function. He reminded the packed house of the contribution of Indians in the liberation of our country. Walking through the stall depicting the struggle heroes of Indian origin, Mchumu reminded those present of the number of Indians that have occupied leadership positions in the democratic government. He emphasized that when speaking to Mac Maharaj, Ela Gandhi, Kader Asmall, Pravin Gordhan and many of the other members of government that were of Indian oringin, he did not consider them as “Indian” but as citizens of a new South Africa. He urged those present to resist the temptation to revert to apartheid created symbols of Indian, African, coloured and white. These were the legacies of apartheid that needed to dumped together with the long list of apartheid laws that were now relegated to history. He also thanked the Ilembe District for recognizing the efforts of the Diwali Committee in setting up the 1860 theme park. Ashwin Panday from the municipality presented a cheque for R50 000 to the ecstatic members of the Diwali Committee.
The fireworks were definitely the highlight of the evening. The large crowds were unanimous in their opinion that this was one of the best displays that the town has ever seen. Gradually increasing in tempo, the grand finale had the night sky transformed into day. The large crowd were left in awe at the myriad of colours the graced the night sky.
And then it was time for the Pinkie Mothie Music extravaganza, accompanied by Vishnu Sounds. Another year has come to an end and as the curtain falls on another Diwali Celebration the Diwali Committee urges the community to get involved and put forward their suggestions for a bigger and grander Celebration next year.
The community are also urged to view the new and improved website (www.diwali.co.za) for all the pictures, action and video clips of Diwali and 1860 Theme Park 2010.
Diwali next year falls on the 26 October 2011. Diwali Committee function (2011) is set for 22 October 2010.