Kasturba Gandhi immortalised at Phoenix Settlement
Indian Union Minister of Power, Housing & Urban Affairs Shri Manohar Lal Khattar (3rd left) unveils the bust of Kasturba Gandhi, wife of Mahatma Gandhi at the Phoenix Gandhi Settlement in Durban on Friday. Looking on is the grand daughter of Mahatma Gandhi, Ela Gandhi ( 2nd right) and Deputy Minster of Fisheries, Forestry and Environment Narend Singh.
Image: Rajesh Jantilal
A BUST of Kasturba Gandhi was unveiled on Friday at Phoenix Settlement in Inanda, placed opposite that of her husband, Mahatma Gandhi.
A powerful figure in her own right, Kasturba lived at the settlement from 1904 to 1914, where she championed education, self-reliance, and moral discipline—particularly among women and children.
Her legacy of quiet strength and grassroots activism now stands immortalised alongside her husband’s.
A strong supporter of Gandhi's South African campaigns, including the Satyagraha (nonviolent resistance) movement, she often led when he was imprisoned.
Kasturba's granddaughter, Ela Gandhi, who is the chairperson of Gandhi Development Trust, speaking at the event said she has dreamt about this day for many years.
She said in 2004, at the 100th anniversary of Phoenix Settlement, the statue of her grandfather was donated by the Vice President of India.
“We have valued that statue for the last 21 years but since then we have felt that it's not whole, it’s only half and we needed the other half to be present,” she said.
Gandhi said her grandmother played a very important role at the settlement and thanked the Government of India’s Indian Council for Cultural Relations for donating the bust.
Prabhat Kumar, the High Commissioner of India to South Africa, described the unveiling of the statue as a historical event.
Kumar said that the statue serves as an additional symbol, honouring Kasturba's contributions alongside Mahatma's in South Africa.
The bust of Kasturba alongside the statue of Mahatma recognises her role as an equal partner of her husband, he said.
Kumar recounted how Kasturba led the nonviolent resistance with other women against a ruling that invalidated traditional Hindu and Muslim marriages that landed her in jail where her health deteriorated during her three-month stay.
“This was one of the many occasions when Kasturba Gandhi fought alongside Gandhi in South Africa and India and made a huge contribution to our freedom struggle,” he said.
He said Kasturba's leadership serves as an inspiration for everyone.
Shri Manohar Lal Khattar, minister of Power, Housing and Urban Affairs for the Government of India, said in many ways, Kasturba Gandhi’s own personal sacrifices awakened women from all walks to join alongside men in the fight for freedom and to gain their rightful position in society.
Khattar praised her remarkable efforts, noting that under her leadership, women of all ages were prepared to walk long distances, endure nights in prison, and even experience hunger for vegetarian food.
He said the experiments and experiences that Gandhi and Kasturba faced in South Africa — indeed the time they spent in the prisons of South Africa — strengthened their mettle and resolve to continue to fight against the colonial British on their return to India after 21 years in South Africa.
“South Africa therefore is rightly often said to be the crucible in which Gandhi evolved many of his ideals and indeed as we stand here we come to understand that many of these are partly through the efforts of Kasturba who stood by his side all along this journey,” said Khattar.
Khattar said it is fitting that the bust was placed facing Gandhi overlooking Sarvodaya which was their home in South Africa.
The minister said the event marks a special occasion by remembering the place where Gandhi and his family began their long journey toward freedom and transformation.
He highlighted the event's significance, noting it commemorates the starting point of Gandhi and his family's long journey toward freedom and transformation.
“As we unveil this bust of Kasturba Gandhi, I would dedicate it to all women of India and South Africa that her life had inspired. Indeed I believe the Nari shakti (women power) will continue to lead India to her growth and prosperity,” said Khattar.
The event was also attended by deputy minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Narend Singh, KZN Public Works and Infrastructure MEC Martin Meyer, and former KZN MEC for Finance Ravi Pillay, among other guests.