Tholsi Mudly, a retired educator and chairperson of the oThongathi Museum Committee, has released a new book titled “Glimpses of Tongaat”. The book is a testament to Mudly’s passion for preserving heritage and history.
According to Mudly, the book is a record of the history of Tongaat and its people. She explained, “The town of Tongaat began as an experiment by the Tongaat Sugar Company in multi-racial living, and it was a first for the country in the early days. The people of Tongaat lived in areas that were exclusively for their race groups. Each group had its own recreational amenities and facilities.”
Mudly noted that the town’s history is closely tied to the sugar industry, which attracted settlers and colonists to the area. “The arrival of James Renault Saunders made a huge impact on the establishment of Tongaat. Indians, Mauritians, and Africans from other parts of Africa were brought in to work on the sugar cane plantations and sugar mills,” she said.
The book features extensive research on Tongaat, providing insight into the town’s establishment, pioneers, and contributions. It also covers education, worship, and sport in the area, with photographs and documentation offering a fascinating glimpse into Tongaat’s past.
A detailed history of the early settlers is also included in the book. It is hoped that “Glimpses of Tongaat” will encourage more people to record their memories of the town
