Struggle stalwart to be honoured on Women’s Day
A memorial bust of anti-apartheid campaigner and pioneer of Indian resistance Dr Kesaveloo Goonaruthnum Naidoo (Dr Goonam) will be unveiled on National Women's Day on Friday.
Dr Goonam, who was imprisoned 17 times for her political activities, will be recognised by the Mount Edgecombe Hindu Temples Trust, the Shri Mariammen Temple Society and the Mount Edgecombe Arts and Cultural Council for her involvement in the struggle for South Africa's democracy.
Dr Goonam died at the age of 92 in 1998.
She was the first Indian woman to practise as a medical doctor. She became a pupil teacher at just 11 years old, earning a salary of 10 shillings. She persuaded her father to allow her to train as a medical doctor and because there were no medical schools open to Indian women in South Africa, she went to Scotland in 1928 to study at Edinburgh University. She returned in 1936 and set up a practice in the Grey Street Complex in Durban.
Dr Goonam became involved in the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) and was one of the main organisers of the passive resistance campaign of 1946.
Seelan Achary, chairperson of the Shri Mariammen Temple Society, said the society recognises women leaders.
"It was suggested some years back to pay homage to Dr Goonam and the idea for a memorial bust was born. The bust was sculpted in Johannesburg by Sundra Naidoo and was sponsored by Glenda Surendra.
"It will be installed in the temple's courtyard where there are other historical monuments. Dr Goonam was a true servant of the people and a leader of society. She was a feisty woman in society who fought for our freedom. She was principled in character and stood in good stead. If we don't tell our stories, nobody else will," said Achary.
Goonam's daughter, Dr Vanitha Chetty, said she was thrilled that her mother continued to be remembered.
"She has received several honours over the years. I am happy that her memory is kept alive. Her contribution to society and social justice activism is being remembered. She was the first Indian female doctor in the country. Now there are so many women doctors and they all came in after her.
"When you consider the severe restrictions and the norms that existed at the time, she broke all the boundaries. Females were not allowed to do anything after they finished school in Standard Four. They had to get married. But my mother didn't subscribe to that. She broke every convention, but at heart, she was an Indian woman who cared for her community," said Chetty.
Achary said being the Mother's Temple, their focus has been to honour women leaders. Another memorial bust at the temple is that of Valliamma Munusamy Mudaliar. Mudaliar died at the young age of 16 in 1914. She was imprisoned for marching against the South African Union's oppressive laws and consequently lost her life after contracting an illness in prison.
The temple erected an 1860 Memorial Monument to honour the arrival of forebears in Natal as well as the Sivananda Peace Pillar.
Achary said the temple also paid homage to mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers, who kept the home fires burning, particularly in the kitchen during trying times. On the temple grounds there’s a memorial of kitchen utensils used during indenture such as a grinding stone, iron thava and stamper.
The public is welcome to attend the event on Friday at the temple in Mount Edgecombe. A traditional breakfast will be served at 9 am as well as lunch after the formalities.
