Celebration will be twofold at the Shree Emperumal Hindu Temple in Mount Edgecombe for the temple’s 150th anniversary celebrations and honouring women for Women’s Day. 

Lead coordinator for the Women’s Day function and 150 years organising committee member, Dr Rovashni Chetty, said Sunday will be for commemorating 150 years of the temple, and paying homage to women of indenture.

“It is to honour, celebrate and pay tribute to women, but tying it up with where we’ve come to, where we are right now,” Chetty said. 

It is a free event, but strictly by invitation. 

“So we have identified and looked at women specifically who have made meaningful contributions in big or small ways to women in general, and the wider society,” Chetty said. 

The guest list includes women from all walks of life, academics, social entrepreneurs, women from industry, the education sector and the Indian Consulate is on board. 

“It’s very diverse, but some very powerful women are attending,” Chetty said. 

She explained that the programme has multi-faceted aspects, the cultural, the spiritual and the celebratory elements in it. They will touch on topical issues like gender-based violence. 

“We’re hoping that as much as we’re going to celebrate women, the attendees will take something really meaningful away at the end of it all,” Chetty said. 

On the 150th anniversary celebrations, Chetty said the Shree Emperumal Hindu Temple is the oldest in South Africa, making it a historic celebration. 

“Looking at it in these terms, it was built by the hands of the indentured population,” Chetty said. 

Before the formal programme starts a new bell tower, which has been in the temple for 134 years, will be unveiled.

“The indentured population came in 1860, and in 1875, the temple was constructed. Fifteen years later, the women of indenture, who worked in the mill… contributed to the construction of this bell tower, which now stands as a symbol of the legacy of indentured women,” Chetty explained. 

“It’s going to be recommissioned and unveiled. We’re going to kick off the function with that, which is really symbolic for the temple. It’s an emotional moment as well.

“It recognising the role that women have (played), during the hardships for 134 years. And then we’re going to unveil a new bell, which then speaks about anchoring hope for future generations.”

Chetty added that it would not just be a normal Women’s Day event. 

“It’s about 150 years of courage and devotion. We’re looking at issues of resilience, how women were able to navigate those hard times,” Chetty said.

“One of the things that was profound during that time was attention to education. So the temple, as much as it was a sacred place of worship, it also served as the cultural hub, an education hub and a place where community service was paramount for that community.”

Chetty said they thought it important to talk chronologically about where they are now as women, and what they project for the future for their children and generations to come.

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za

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