As South Africa commemorates the 164th anniversary of the arrival of Indian indentured labourers in Durban, a recent racial slur by a city council member has ignited a firestorm in the eThekwini Municipality, highlighting tensions between the ruling ANC and the province’s large Indian community.
During a council meeting last week, an unidentified councillor directed the inflammatory comment, “Go back to Bombay!” toward DA councillor Yogis Govender, sparking condemnation from multiple quarters. Govender, the DA’s Chief Whip and an Executive Councillor, was reportedly targeted while debating a monument honoring the Indian indentured laborers who arrived in 1860.
Francois Rodgers, Leader of the DA in KwaZulu-Natal, issued a strong statement condemning the racial attack on Councillor Govender. Rodgers described the remark as “an attack on a racial group that has made an immense contribution to our province and country,” emphasizing the Indian community’s historical role in South Africa’s socio-political landscape, including their fight against apartheid.
Rodgers criticized the ANC Speaker, Councillor Thabani Nyawose, for his perceived inaction, noting that the Speaker seemed to downplay the incident rather than pursue the individual responsible. “The DA in KZN calls on the ANC leadership to condemn this racist attack, identify the councillor who made the comment, and expel them immediately,” Rodgers stated. The DA also plans to introduce a motion of no confidence against Nyawose, citing his failure to protect Govender from racial abuse.
Councillor Nyawose, however, condemned the slur in his own statement, calling it “unacceptable” and reiterating the Council’s commitment to respect and inclusivity. “There is no room for racism in our Council or in our country at large,” he asserted, promising to lead a thorough investigation into the incident. Nyawose vowed to hold the responsible councillor accountable, should the investigation confirm the allegations.
This incident has underscored longstanding racial tensions in the region. The timing is particularly notable, as President Cyril Ramaphosa recently unveiled a statue of King Shaka, symbolizing unity in South Africa’s diverse heritage. Yet, this controversy reveals the lingering racial divisions that undermine such ideals.
For South Africa’s Indian community, the “Go back to Bombay” comment is a painful reminder of past and present discrimination. The country’s 1860 Indian indentured laborers, whose descendants continue to shape South Africa’s cultural and economic landscape, had endured great hardship and prejudice. Many community leaders and citizens are calling for accountability, highlighting the importance of inclusivity and mutual respect as cornerstones of democracy.
The eThekwini Municipality’s next steps will be closely watched, as residents and political figures alike demand that those responsible for divisive language face tangible consequences
The 1860 Indian Heritage Centre, a state-subsidised repository of artifacts, documents, and memorabilia, chronicles this legacy, and will host a Memorial Lecture on Friday, 15 November, with Professor Vinay Lal exploring the theme, The Figure of the Migrant: The Moved, the Unmoved, and the Human Condition in Perilous Times.
On Saturday, 16 November 2024, a commemorative event will be held to honour these labourers’ resilience. Curator Selvan Naidoo advocates for a ringing bell as part of the memorial, symbolising both the labourers’ daily struggles and their enduring spirit. However, leaders Seelan Achary and Ishwar Ramlutchman argue for a symbolic statue at Durban’s South Beach, the historic disembarkation site, depicting a turbaned man, sari-clad woman, and children—an homage to family, resilience, and cultural pride.
Naidoo confirmed that Premier Thami Ntuli will address the commemoration.
By Marlan Padayachee
On the eve of the 164 year milestone of the historic landing of Indian indentured labourers in Durban in the 1860s, a racist, right-wing city councillor has hurled insult at a fellow councillor with an anti-Indian jibe at a council meeting of the eThekwini Municipality last week, triggering a political firestorm that is expected further divide the chasm between the ruling ANC and the city’s largest Indian population in South Africa.
DA KZN condemns racist attack against its Councillor
by Francois Rodgers, MPL – DA KZN Leader
Date: 08 November 2024
The Democratic Alliance in KwaZulu-Natal condemns in the strongest possible terms, the racist attack on its Chief Whip and Exectuive Councillor in the eThekwini Municipality, Yogis Govender when an unidentified councillor shouted in the microphone “GO BACK TO BOMBAY!”.
This racist assault on Councillor Govender on the basis of her being of Indian origin is an attack on a racial group that has made an immense contribution to our province and country dating back to 1860.
This vicious and calculated racist attack is symptomatic of deep-seated racism that resides in parties like the ANC and EFF to minority groups who do not value or respect the role that the Indian community has played in our country, including fighting against the apartheid regime.
What compounds this racial assault is the inaction of the ANC Speaker, Councillor Thabani Nyawose who chose to merely play down this incident and not seek out the perpetrator of this criminal act. This is because the councillor who launched this racial assault is allegedly a member of the ANC.
The DA in KZN calls on the leadership of the ANC to condemn this racist attack and to bring forward their councillor who uttered these words and expel them with immediate effect.
The DA in eThekwini will also bring a motion of no confidence against the Speaker for his failure to protect Councillor Govender against acts of racism because this cannot go without consequences.
Just yesterday the President, at an historic event unveiled the state of King Shaka, these symbols speak to our wonderful heritage and diversity, symbols that should unite us not divide us.
SPEAKER NYAWOSE CONDEMNS RACIST REMARK IN COUNCIL: “NO PLACE FOR RACISM IN OUR CHAMBERS”
EThekwini Municipality’s Speaker of Council, Councillor Thabani Nyawose, has strongly condemned a racist remark allegedly made by one of the councillors during the Full Council meeting held on 06 November at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.
The incident occurred during a debate on a monument honouring the 1860 Indentured Indians, where an offensive remark, “you must go to Bombay,” was reportedly directed towards a councillor.
Councillor Nyawose expressed his outrage, stating, “This is unacceptable, as there is no room for racism in the Council or in our country at large.”
The Speaker further assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted to identify the individual responsible for this divisive behaviour.
“I will investigate this unfortunate incident to find the culprit, and we will not hesitate to take serious action against any councillor who breaks the rules,” Nyawose affirmed.
EThekwini Municipality remains committed to upholding values of respect, inclusivity, and unity in all Council proceedings.
