* In 1886, the resident magistrate reported the number of Indians in Ladysmith as 100 and in the whole district as 350. By the 1891 census, there were 607 Indians in Ladysmith.
The reason for Klip River having such a high concentration of Indian railway workers may perhaps be attributed to the fact that Indian labour was more reliable than black labour and as JB Brain stated: “Black labour was unwilling to work for long periods at a time, either because of the need to return to their homes to plough and plant, or because they were target workers.
“Then it would not be surprising that employers tended to prefer the more stable Indian for similar tasks requiring continuity.”
By the late 1870s, Indians, whether free or indentured, had established themselves firmly in Ladysmith. However, they faced the same crippling legislation and anti-Indian sentiment, sometimes as in the case of traders, even more in Ladysmith. In the famous case of Vinden versus the Ladysmith Local Board, Jessie Vinden (the local Indian school teacher and wife of the Indian court interpreter in Ladysmith) took the Ladysmith Local Board to court for wrongful arrest.
She was arrested by the local Native Police as a ‘coloured’ person. This case was heard by Sir Walter Wragg, who ruled in favour of Mrs Vinden, who had been jailed after being asked for her pass.
What is ironic is that it was the same Mrs Vinden who was instrumental in the opening of the Ladysmith Govt Aided Indian School which was later named Windsor High School.
She personified determination and resilience, and was determined to uplift the Indian community via education.
She applied pressure on relevant authorities and secured a building in Keate Street. The school opened its doors on February 14, 1914.
* Premchund B Huri (a former Windsorian student, teacher and principal) recently wrote: “Remember Baboo Cha Cha, the vendor who used to sell roasted peanuts and popcorn in the distinctive cone-shaped newspaper wrapper for a penny during the breaks?
“Beware if you stepped out of line – you were likely to receive a thump on your head from his left hand which was a wooden stump and which had a brass plate nailed at the end. I remember him with his wooden cart next to the tennis court fence which was located just past the main gate where the present car park is located.
“Baboo Cha Cha was a part of Windsor’s history. Bless his soul.”
Mr Huri added, “Yes, we were amongst the first to wear the blazer when it was introduced by Mr NG Chetty. I was in Std 8 (Grade 10). The sole distributors were Gogas Retailers.
“I wore the blazer with pride, although some rebels referred to it as pyjama stripes. Back then, we also had the odd misfits. How well I remember the floods.
“On my first appointment as a teacher at WHS, I reported for duty in January 1967 in shorts. In knee-deep water, I met Mr NG Chetty, the principal. It was indeed a historical encounter.
“Sadly, it was not the age of cell-phones to record the memory for posterity.” – Prem Huri
Another ‘latter day’ student was Fathima George (nee Maither).
During her recollection, she surmised, “How about we share good memories of teachers who played a role in shaping us to who we are today?
“I remember the teachers who helped me be where I am today; to break the boundaries of education, wealth and racism to be an equal wherever I am in this world through the knowledge they so generously shared with us.
“I remember Mr AC Naidoo (Snr), his wife, Mr M Patel, Miss Patel, Mr RG Reddy, Mr and Mrs Mudeliar, Mr and Mrs Hurkhoo… God bless them all for the greatest gift given to any child – the gift of knowledge!” – Fathima George
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