Construction work on the 1860 Indentured Workers Monument, situated along Durban’s uShaka Beach promenade, has begun. 

Culturalists and stakeholders regard the monument as a step towards honouring the legacy of Indian indentured labourers, who arrived in Durban from 1860. The monument is expected to encapsulate their sacrifices and contributions.

On Friday, Selvan Naidoo, director of 1860 Heritage Centre in Durban, said: “We are proud to see that construction is under way, with the monument expected to be completed ahead of the 165th commemoration of the arrival of the first indentured workers on November 16, 2025.”

According to IOL reports, the contractor and artist Brendon Edwards explained that the monument is 8m high and will have the names of 684 Indian indentured labourers and 29 individuals who perished on the ship Belvedere. 

Edwards explained that the sugarcane archer will consist of 684 strands representing the DNA of those who made the trip. This will then flow into the additional bronze that has now been added, representing the family of the indentured. 

The monument will also include a pond to symbolise the ocean, water, and the journey the labourers made. Embracing the design is the Zulu nation’s kraal, welcoming the indentured.

At a recent sod turning ceremony, KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli said the R5 million project is set to be completed in November 2025, and that he had requested regular updates on the construction because he wanted to see it finalised. 

Prince Ishwar Ramlutchman Mabheka Zulu, the president of Sivananda World Peace Foundation and Africa coordinator for Gopio International, a global organisation for people of Indian origin, applauded Premier Ntuli for his keen interest in the monument. 

Ramlutchman said that the Girmitiya/SA Indian Community will finally have a monument. 

“This monument was unanimously approved at a mass gathering of Indian leaders. A life-size Indian/Girmitiya family with an Arch will be installed. The committee that unanimously agreed on this design will gather soon at the site to look at the progress of the historic monument. No individual or organisation will have the right to claim ownership of this monument, as this will be registered under the National Heritage department,” Ramlutchman said. 

Omie Singh, president of the KZN International Business Association, said this was exciting news.

He described the monument as a tribute to the contribution Indian indentured labourers made to the economy of Durban, KZN, and South Africa over the past 160 years. 

“This is a success story in itself that will pay homage to the work done in various facets to bring this project to completion,” he said. 

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za

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