South Africa’s High Commissioner to India, Professor Anil Sooklal, has revealed the possibility for dual memorials to commemorate the indentured Indian labourers who arrived in South Africa more than 160 years ago.

The proposed monuments will be erected in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, marking the arrival of the SS Truro in 1860, carrying 342 labourers, and another one at the port of Chennai (formerly Madras) in Tamil Nadu, the labourers’ departure point.

This two-monument approach—bridging the historical link between the two nations—was  discussed during Professor Sooklal’s meeting with Tamil Nadu Minister of Industries, Investment Promotion and Commerce, Dr TRB Rajaa.

Their meeting highlighted a shared commitment to recognising the deep cultural and historical ties between the state and South Africa.

Sooklal said the discussion started when he told Rajaa that a monument was under construction in South Africa, marking the spot where the first ship arrived in Durban. 

“They don’t have a monument, and I was putting out the idea, and he was very excited by it, and they are keen to see how they can take it forward, working with the embassy and the community back home.

“And I said, ‘Since that ship left from Madras port, it would make sense to have a monument in Madras’. And he said, ‘Look, we never thought of this, but it’s such an excellent idea’. And they definitely would be very keen to see if they can also put up something,” Sooklal said, adding that Rajaa said he would be keen to attend the monument’s unveiling with a delegation in South Africa.

“I think this is a very important re-igniting of the strong historical relations we have had between the province of KwaZulu-Natal and the city of Durban with the province of Tamil Nadu, and especially what is now Chennai.

“He (Rajaa) was very excited when I told him that we have a very dynamic Tamil community, very culturally active, and also very much involved in the economy of our province and the country,” Sooklal said. 

He said that in their meeting with the minister, they were excited to learn about the historical links, and they are keen to strengthen cultural, educational and trade links between Tamil Nadu, especially KZN and Durban. 

“He is also very keen to visit South Africa later this year to bring a delegation and strengthen ties, and is also very keen to invite the chief minister to invite our premier to come to Tamil Nadu with the trade and cultural delegation this year as well,” Sooklal said. 

He said Tamil Nadu and KZN/Durban aim to strengthen ties through exchange delegations, focusing on education, culture, and, importantly, economic cooperation. Tamil Nadu, with a dynamic economy and the third-largest gross domestic product (GDP) among Indian states, boasts a GDP of $420 billion—nearly the size of South Africa’s GDP—offering tremendous opportunities for trade and investment.

“We have agreed that we’ll continue discussions with his office and the Office of the Chief Minister and see how we take forward the proposals we discussed,” Sooklal said. 

Rajaa gave Sooklal an original artwork by a traditional rural woman artist in Tamil Nadu. The art celebrates women’s empowerment in the region.

“I told him that’s also very much the focus in South Africa, where we are focusing on the advancement of women. So he says the artwork specifically speaks to what they are doing in terms of women’s empowerment within the state,” Sooklal concluded. 

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za

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