The legacy of Amichand Nirajan Rajbansi: a political journey from humble beginnings to leadership

'SENSE OF COMFORT'

- NADIA KHAN

IN SOUTH Africa, few figures have left a mark as indelible as the founder and leader of the Minority Front (MF), the late Amichand Nirajan Rajbansi, who was born in Clairwood and became a champion for minority rights.

Ahead of a documentary on his life, titled The Bengal Tiger — The Rajbansi Story, which will premiere in Durban on Thursday, and release in cinemas across the country on October 3, Shameen Thakur-Rajbansi, his wife and the current leader of the ME, spoke about his journey.

Childhood

Rajbansi was born on January 14, 1942, and was the third born of five children.

His paternal great-grandfather and maternal grandfather were indentured and came from Uttar Pradesh in northern India.

Rajbansi’s paternal great-grandfather settled in Clairwood after his arrival in 1878. His maternal grandfather arrived in 1860 and settled in Verulam.

His father, Ethwaroo Rajbansi, was a carpenter and his mother, Suminthra, a housewife.

“Mr Rajbansi’s father and his uncles were carpenters. From a young age, Mr Rajbansi was involved in the business. During his childhood, he spent a lot of time at the beach or out at sea as his family shared a great relationship with another family of seine-netters. Mr Rajbansi’s family built boats for this family and he joined them on fishing trips at sea,” said Thakur-Rajbansi.

She said Rajbansi’s journey into the political space also started at a young age.

“At around age 12, he was drawn to the political sphere as a volunteer for the NIC (Natal Indian Congress) and as a member of the ANC Youth League. During political meetings in Clairwood, he set up the chairs in the hall, or collected pamphlets from the printing press and handed them out. If there were protests or boycotts, even late at night, he joined in.