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.
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