Satyagraha Legacy to May Led by Satyagraha Legacy Tour of South Africa May 31 – June 14, 2014 Led by Dr. Arun Gandhi
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Satyagraha Legacy Tour of South Africa May 31 – June 14, 2014 Gandhiji, as a satyagrahi, in South Africa http://www.gandhiforchildren.org/gandhi -india-tours/category/itinerary/legacytoursa/ Led by Dr. Arun Gandhi www.arungandhi.net 1 Day 1: May 31 2014 Fly into Durban International Airport Arrive in Durban International Airport, South Africa and transfer to the Protea Hotel Umhlanga to rest after the journey and have dinner followed by a presentation by tour leader Arun Gandhi and an introduction by guide on what to expect from the next few days. This opening occasion will be celebrated with a traditional Durban meal in a private venue. Mahatma Gandhi (Bapu) first arrived in South Africa in May 23, 1893. Mahatma Gandhi (Bapu) spent 21 years in South Africa . Gandhi’s concept and technique of non-violence ( Satyagraha ) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satyagraha originated in South Africa. The account of Bapu’s twenty-one years in which his influence was fundamental to the development of the whole freedom struggle. To know that history is to understand the history of the present moment. To understand its significance for peace, not only in South Africa, but in the world, is an essential duty for all who care about the future of our planet earth. Bapu stated he was born in India but was made in South Africa. Nelson Mandel a said, "South Africa received him as MK Gandhi and returned him to India as Mahatma Gandhi." Accommodations: Protea Hotel Umhlanga Meals : Dinner At 7:30 PM the group will meet Dr. Arun Gandhi Satyagraha Legacy Tour 2014 CostUS$4520.00 per person sharing a room Tour itinerary does not include airfare Sign-up Deadline 2/28/2014 2 Day 2: June 1 : South African Historical Overview Today we explore some of the broader aspects of South African history because it is important to put the country into perspective with regards to the challenges faced today as we continue to reconcile our past struggle with the current one. Few names conjure up more powerful images than that of the: Zulu “King” Shaka , Dr. John Dube, Albert Luthuli, MK Gandhi, and Mandela The sheer mention of the name Zulu has resounded throughout colonial Natal and across the Western world, and the story of this people’s fearlessness and iron fired discipline has become the stuff of legend. The people were transformed from being a minor, insignificant clan into a mighty nation and finally –an empire under the chieftainship of the famous warrior –King, Shaka. This nation was to strike fear into the hearts of neighboring tribes. We visit Shaka’s last great military citadel and the site of his grave where he was assassinated by his half brother Dingane. Your guide will keep you enthralled with tales o f this incredible nation whilst you marvel at the scenery and daily village life unfolding before your very eyes. 3 We move onto the home (and museum) of Africa’s first recipient of the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1960 and the President of the African National Congress – Chief Albert Luthuli - a giant of a leader, way ahead of his time. He had been arrested on a charge of high treason, released and then repeatedly banned and arrested. The home in Groutville, KwaDukuza reflects a highly emotive period in South Africa’s history Luthuli’s ecclesiastical tradition, Congregationalism, imbedded within him the the primacy of democracy, education and multirationalism propelling him to the heights of political leadership. It’s a short drive to the Ohlange Institu te, a school founded in 1900 by John Dube, first President of the African National Congress. Visitors to the Institute will see where Nelson Mandela cast his vote in the first ever democratic elections in 1994. Find out more about Dube in the museum d edicated to his life and legacy, and pay their respects to this great man at his grave site and monument. The nearby Inanda Seminary, established in 1869, was the first secondary school founded exclusively for African girls in southern Africa. The beauti ful and highly secure educational environment is a verdant oasis in the sprawling Inanda Township. The active campus educates close to four hundred students amongst ten historic buildings, the oldest being Rev. Daniel Lindley’s mission house, built in 185 8. Many of South Africa’s most powerful and influential women in government, business and the non -profit world received their education at this school during the height of Apartheid. All of the above sites have a clear link with Sir Marshall Campbell who had previously owned the land. 4 Summary Southern African historical overview visiting: Home (and museum) of Chief Albert Luthuli The Phoenix Property and the family home, Sarvodaya (Welfare of All) Ohlange Institute founded by the Reverend John Langalibale le Dube: Dube’s settlement included a school and training facilities for various trades. Reverend Dube co-founded the Natal Native Congress in 1900 and which became the African National Congress (ANC) in 1912 Brief on pre-history Australopithecus africanu s (southern ape-man) & Homo sapiens; first - nation San/Bushman; Arrival in south-eastern region of iron -age man; emergence of the amaZulu; European arrivals; Indentured labor with the first Indians arriving on the SS Truro and the arrival in Durban of a young, British trained attorney. Accommodations: Protea Hotel Umhlanga http://www.proteahotels.com/hotels/Pages/protea -hotel-umhlanga.aspx Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner Dinner: Kashmir, Umhlanga Rocks 5 Day 3: June 2 1906 Gandhi's Move to Phoenix Settlement After breakfast at the hotel we will board our vehicle and travel to visit Durban Waterfront where Mahatma Gandhi would of come in on the S. S. Safari . Enjoy a moment to envision what it was like when Bapu first arrived from Bombay on the boat after his long journey. Along the way enjoy glimpses of the breathta king views of the "Golden Mile" coastline . We will visit the Harbor area (Mahatma Gandhi Road) where Gandhi first arrived May 23, 1893. We will see Cato Creek area where the crowd of white artisans gathered on January 13, 1897 to prevent Indian passengers of the Courland & Naderi from disembarking. Gandhi was advised to disembark separately along Cato Creek and where he was assaulted by the crowd. Visit Durba n Magistrate's Courts (Old Court House Museum) erected in 1866, the first place Gandhi visited when he arrived to South Africa as a young lawyer. The Old Court House Museum in Durban is one of the oldest buildings around and has witnessed many of South Africa’s important events. On May 23 1893, Gandhi was taken by Dada Abdullah to the Courts so that he could be acquainted with local legal procedures. The turban saga and the spat with the magistrate unfold... 6 We visit the old Durban Railway Station Build ing . It was at this site that Gandhi embarked on June 7 1893 on the fateful train journey that, in later years, he regarded as having changed the course of his life. See Ferguson's corner - where Gandhi's legal practices w ere based between 1895 and 1896. Next we travel to the Phoenix Settlement and visit some of the Gandhi Development Trust’s projects focusing on education. The Trust works within the local community to promote Gandhian principles in education. They produce a monthly newspaper and organize conferences and events where these principles and teachings are explored. “Gandhi: True Education; What is the meaning of education? It simply means a knowledge of letter. It is merely an instrument, and an instrument may be well used or abused. Therefore, whether you take elementary education or higher education, it is not required for the main thing. It does not make men of us. It does not enable us to do our duty. In its place it can be of use and it has its place when we have brought our senses under su bjection and out our ethics on a firm foundation. Our ancient school system is enough. Character building has the first place in it and that is primary education. A building erected on that foundation will last.” 7 June 2, 1906 The MK Gandhi family moves to the Phoenix Settlement. Today our visit to the Phoenix (Ashram) Settlement coincides with the anniversary date of the MK Gandhi family move-in date. Lunch: Gandhi Development Trust - Meet with the Gandhi Family members to engage a discussion about th e principles of Satyagraha and Gandhiji's South African history. After a morning learning about the Trust followed by lunch, we will visit some historic sites associated with Gandhi’s time in South Africa. The period Gandhi spent in South Africa has ofte n been described as his spiritual and political apprenticeship because it was within the contract of South African political and social life that Gandhi developed his philosophy and practice of Satyagraha from his law practice at 326 -328 Smith Street, Durban. We visit Gandhi’s home at Phoenix Settlement, established in December 1904 on a farm approximately 26 kilometers from Durban. Gandhi purchased the 100 acres, with a spring and a few oran ges and mango trees for 1000 pounds. This home has a very spiritual feel and we visit the building that housed his printing press from which he published The Indian Opinion. This is the home Arun Gandhi, Ela Gandhi and their older sister Sita were raised by Gandhi’s second son Manilal Gandhi and his wife Sushila. http://www.gandhiforchildren.org/gandhi -india-tours/manilal-gandhi-legacy/ The Phoenix Settlement established by Mahatma Gandhi is on the north western edge of Inanda about 25km from central Durban.