Durban: Where Gandhi first became Mahatma

Today, Durban is best known for its beaches, adventure activities and the wildlife in numerous National Parks just a short drive away. But Durban is also home to a place equally important to Indian and South African history, Mahatma Gandhi's home, that is now a landmark on the Inanda Heritage Route.

-  Varsha Singh

Like most Indians headed to South Africa, I had only a vague memory of what I had learnt in my school about Mahatma Gandhi spending his formative years as a lawyer in South Africa. When I landed in Durban, I was perhaps more eager to discover the myriad natural wonders and sights that awaited me in South Africa. Over the next few days, I did indeed discover the jewels that South African forests hid.

And then, I discovered a jewel that is perhaps as rare and as precious as any specimen of wildlife that the forests or the oceans around South Africa could possess the Inanda Heritage Route.

Barely 20 km north of Durban, we rapidly reached the Phoenix Settlement, the first site on this historical route which is intricately woven into South Africa's long struggle for freedom and where the seeds of Indian freedom struggle were also planted.

Phoenix Settlement was the first community town established by Gandhi in South Africa and it was based on principles of self-reliance and value of labour, with the common good of the society as its guiding principle.

Gandhi in South Africa

After qualifying as a lawyer from England, having completed his LLB from University College London (UCL), Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi arrived in South Africa in May 1893, at the age of 24 on an assignment.

However, several events occurred during his stay which ensured that his short stint turned into a 21-year-long stay, with short visits to England and India.