Delay in unveiling monument for Indian indentured labourers on 165th anniversary
Taking shape is the 1860 Indentured Workers Monument, situated along Durban’s uShaka Beach promenade.
Image: Leon Lestrade / Independent Newspapers
A monument to acknowledge Indian Indentured labourers will not be ready next Sunday, when the 165-year anniversary is commemorated.
This is due to the bronze armature required for the sculpture set to be erected on Durban's uShaka Beach promenade causing the delay.
November 16 marks 165 years since the first indentured Indian workers arrived in KwaZulu-Natal aboard the SS Truro in 1960.
Contractor and artist Brendon Edwards explained that work was under way to complete as much as possible before the planned unveiling day.
Edwards said most of the work has been done off-site and would be installed during the week.
On Friday, officials from eThekwini Municipality and the Department of Arts and Culture were on the site for a progress report after the project had stalled.
Cultural activists and stakeholders regard the R5 million monument as a step towards honouring the legacy of Indian indentured labourers. The monument is expected to encapsulate their sacrifices and contributions.
Selvan Naidoo, director of 1860 Heritage Centre in Durban, said significant work has already been done off-site, including the ship hulls.
“A significant portion of the work is steel and metal that has to be welded. It will be transported to the site. The armature has posed a significant delay in terms of why the monument is delayed and why it is not 90% complete,” Naidoo said.
He explained that in March 2025, KwaZulu-Natal premier Thami Ntuli and stakeholders had a sod turning ceremony.
“The indenture bronze sculpture takes eight to 10 months to complete because it has to go through foundry work and so on. Which means it takes a significant amount of time. That is the principal reason why the monument is not complete,” he said.
“There certainly was not enough time to be able to get the indentured bronze sculpture complete. Parts of the work that one sees are expected to be finished by November 16. The monument is expected to be completed before the year's end or the beginning of January 2026.”
Naidoo said he was disappointed as a member of the community that the monument was not put up, but at the same time, he was grateful and acknowledged the significant work that had already been done.
Edwards explained that the names of those who were on the ship will be erected soon. This stands at 8.7 metres high and will have the names of 684 Indian indentured labourers and 29 individuals who perished on the ship Belvedere.
Edwards explained that the sugarcane archer will consist of 684 strands representing the DNA of those who made the trip. This will represent the families of the indentured workers.
The monument will also include a pond to symbolise the ocean, water, and the journey the labourers made. Embracing the design is the Zulu nation's kraal, welcoming the indentured.
Phase 1 of the monument was expected to be ready by November 15, phase 2, by December 15 and the final phase by end of January 2026.