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​2010-11-08: 1860 legacy in the spotlight for Remembrance Sunday    
  
THE story of M.K. Gandhi and the Indian Ambulance Corps will be highlighted at the 90th annual Remembrance Sunday event at the Cenotaph in Harrison Street. This forms part of events launched country-wide to celebrate the 1860 anniversary in November 2010, marking 150 years since the arrival of Indians in South Africa. 

National Civic Remembrance Sunday honours all South Africans who made the supreme sacrifice for their country in wars and conflict, including the struggle for democracy. The commemoration in Johannesburg is the largest of its kind in South Africa, and links with Remembrance Day events held in many countries of the world. 

The Acting Executive Mayor of Johannesburg will lead dignitaries, including senior officers of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), ex-service organisations and diplomatic representatives in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph. Hundreds of marchers will participate in the parade. The event is open to members of the media and the community at large. 

The theme story will focus on the Indian Ambulance Corps formed by M.K. Gandhi in the Anglo-Boer South African War, 1899-1902, and later in Zulu resistance of 1906. About 1 000 Indian stretcher-bearers, mainly indentured labourers from Natal's sugar estates, served under Gandhi in the Anglo-Boer War of 1899 -1902. They were in action at the Battle of Colenso and the Battle of Spionkop, coming under fire more than once. 

Once again, in 1906 Gandhi raised a medical corps for the British forces in what became known as the Bambata Rebellion. The young Gandhi's experience of colonial conflict spurred him on to dedicate his life to the cause of peace and non-violence. While treating Zulu wounded on the battlefield, Gandhi was profoundly shocked by the violence and cruelty of the victors. 

As commented by Nelson Mandela: 

"His awakening came on the hilly terrain of the so-called Bambata Rebellion where as a passionate British patriot, he led his Indian stretcher-bearer corps to serve the Empire, but British brutality against the Zulus roused his soul against violence as nothing had done before". 

National Remembrance Sunday will open with a march-past by military bands, the SANDF and military veterans. This will be followed by an inter-faith religious service to be led by led by Paster Lubbe Gerrie​ of the Desmond Tutu Diversity Trust. This is followed by a solemn wreath-laying ceremony. Wreaths will be laid by senior SANDF officials, ex-service organizations, civic dignitaries, diplomatic representatives and youth groups, as well as the 1860 Foundation. 

Pastor Lubbe Gerrie served the Via Christi Community in Lenasia from 1970 to 2006. From 1983 to 2006 he was also Professor in Religious Studies at UNISA. He is a founder member of the Desmond Tutu Diversity Trust and served as its CEO from 2008 to 2010. 

This year we also celebrate the arrival of the first generation of Indian immigrants in South Africa, in the year 1860 – exactly 150 years ago. 

The 2010 Remembrance Sunday Service will be held on 14 November at the Cenotaph in Harrison Street, on the eastern portion of Beyers Naude Square, starting at 14:30. 



Issued on behalf of:
Executive Mayor's Office 
City of Johannesburg 

Issued by: 
Nthatisi Modingoane 
Deputy Director: Communications 
CITY OF JOHANNESBURG 
Tel: (011) 407 7354 
Fax: 403 3494 
Cell: 082 467 9228 
E-mail: nthatisem@joburg.org.zaThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it​