For those of you interested in learning more about the church’s role in Apartheid South Africa, the exhibition, Denis Hurley: The Guardian of the Light, will provide valuable information about the events of that period, and specifically the part that Denis Hurley, acting as the Archbishop of Durban, played. Often in opposition to the church, which was sometimes … Read more
The Congress of the People took place on the 26th June 1955, in Kliptown, just outside of Johannesburg. Attended by some 3000 people, the aim of the meeting was to discuss the content of the proposed Freedom Charter, with submissions for the document having been received from people all across the country. The Freedom Charter, some of the core tenets … Read more
Durban’s Liberation Heritage Route is part of a larger movement aimed at drawing attention to Africa’s struggle heroes and their stories that so often go untold. History that over the years has been misreported, or intentionally distorted or buried, is finally being made available to the public. This is a process though, that requires money. Funds … Read more
Many a Durbanite would have sat on the small stone wall that runs along the promenade on Addington Beach, completely unaware of its historical significance. The wall was built by Zulu prisoners captured during the Bambatha Rebellion that took place in 1906. The war that broke out between Zulu speakers and the Natal government in the early 1900s … Read more
This year marks 70 years since the signing of the historic Joint Declaration of Cooperation. Commonly referred to as ‘The Three Doctors’ Pact’, the agreement was signed on the 9th March 1947 by Dr Monty Naicker, Dr Yusuf Dadoo, and the then leader of the ANC, Dr Alfred Xuma. The Joint Meeting, which was attended by members of the … Read more
As we’re about to ring in the New Year it seems an appropriate time to tell the story of Donald Woods’ dramatic escape from South Africa some thirty years ago. Woods, editor at the time of the East London-based newspaper, Daily Dispatch, had been issued with a five year banning order after being arrested at the airport trying … Read more