Natal Indian Congress marks 130-year anniversary

THIS year marks the 130-year anniversary of the formation of the Natal Indian Congress (NIC).

The NIC was the first Indian Congress established. It was founded by Mahatma Gandhi on August 22, 1894 to fight against discrimination faced by Indians.

Dr Monty Naicker was elected to the organisation's leadership in 1945. Owing to more militant protests, by the 1950s and 1960s several of the NIC’s leaders were in jail.

Although the NIC itself was not banned, the harassment of its leaders and the repressive conditions at that time led to a halt in its activities. It was only in 1971 that the NIC was revived with a focus on civic work.

The NIC led, fought and participated in several major seminal political struggles, not least being the Passive Resistance Campaign, the Defiance Campaign, the adoption of the Freedom Charter, anti-SAIC campaigns, the anti-tricameral parliament campaign;  the Mass Democratic Movement; the Codesa negotiations, leading to a democratic South Africa in 1994, and the Constitution and Bill of Rights in 1996.

Leaders and members of the NIC were banned, jailed and even killed in the broader struggle for freedom.

A tribute anniversary will be held at Sastri College Hall in Durban next Sunday when past and present NIC members will remember and pay tribute to all those who contributed with their selfless service.

The keynote address will be given by former president Kgalema Motlanthe.

The programme will cover the objectives of the NIC 130 committee for the entire year and going forward, cultural entertainment, a 12-minute documentary covering the history of the NIC, and an address by Mac Maharaj, whose struggle history covers many decades.

Ela Gandhi, convenor of the NIC 130 organising committee, said the NIC had inspired many people over the years and remains a historic organisation which championed the cause of the poor and the marginalised across all racial divides.

“The NIC has a priceless legacy. Generations to come will point to its contribution in shaping our country's history and deeply entrenching the possibility of a truly non-racial society. Much work remains to be done.

“Our current work has revealed a dire need for political education in all communities, across all races. It is indeed a priority for us to help young progressive leaders to emerge. They need to learn and be inspired by the NIC’s priceless legacy over several historical periods including the Satyagraha campaign that produced martyrs such as 16-year-old Valliamma, the Passive Resistance campaign, the Defiance Campaign, the Dadoo-Xuma-Naicker pact, the adoption of the Freedom Charter, members’ participation in the underground and armed struggle, the United Democratic Front, the Codesa negotiations and the building of the democratic state,” said Gandhi.

She said the anniversary programme began in May, adding that the main event would take place next Sunday.

“Another important part of the programme is a series of engagements with members and wider society to discuss current issues. An internal workshop was held in July with the theme being ‘Deepening democracy – progressive responses to new challenges in our politics'. This was taken further at a workshop held in Chatsworth last month.

“A defining characteristic of the NIC has always been that the interests and well- being of the Indian community are inextricably linked to the well-being of our society as a whole, 62 million people nationally and 12.5 million people in KwaZulu-Natal.

“We are South Africans. We believe in a progressive approach to ethnicity and identity. We embrace our unity in diversity national motto. We are duty bound to protect and defend the legacy of the NIC,” said Gandhi.

She said their aim is to recall the history, the activists and their sacrifices in the past and to look at how they can move forward.

“We are observing this important history as we believe its significance is important. We think it’s an appropriate time to talk about it and to say that going forward what kind of ideology we are going to be promoting.

“In the present climate, how do we see ourselves and what role do we see ourselves playing? Some of the key features are promoting social cohesion and nation-building in the community and promoting a corruption-free, prosperous South Africa where everybody has access to the basic necessities of life.

“Those were the principles (around which) the organisation was formed and how do we get there? Somewhere along the line we have slipped and we need to get back on track,” said Gandhi.