A group of about fifty former pupils, aged between 60 and 80 years, from Chatsworth, Merebank, Cairwood, Phoenix, and other areas, recently convened at the Greenbury Hall in Phoenix to celebrate a milestone - the 60th reunion of the Wentworth Government Aided Indian School, affectionately known as the Cabbage Primary School. The school was established to serve the children of indentured laborers who chose to remain in South Africa after completing their service, as well as passenger Indians who settled in the region in the early 1900s.
The school's origins date back to the 1940s, when a few families in the area recognized the need for an educational institution. According to 83-year-old Dan Govender, about four families started building the school, constructing the first block with classrooms one to ten. The construction took about six months to a year to complete, with every family contributing to the effort. As the money came in, more rooms were added, and the school eventually expanded into a second block, forming an iconic 'L' shape with governmental assistance.
As the years passed, many children attended the school, creating lasting memories. Simple pleasures like sipping cocoa and eating a "thick spread of butter and jam on brown bread" were cherished recollections for many. However, the implementation of the Group Areas Act in the 1960s changed the landscape of the community, leading to the forced removal of families and the eventual closure of the school. Despite the loss of the physical structure, the reunion witnessed a resurgence of nostalgia as former pupils shared their childhood experiences.
Solly Singh, 70, of Phoenix, who attended the school from Class 1 to Standard 6, recalled his experiences, including playing games like five-stones and three-tins, and being barefoot most of the time. Singh started a WhatsApp group earlier this year to reconnect with former classmates, paving the way for the reunion. He remembered the school's location near the Wentworth train station and the surrounding acres of lush cabbage patches, which earned it the affectionate nickname "Cabbage Primary School."
Another vivid memory was shared by Gonavathee Govender, 83, of Mount Edgecombe Estates, who recalled the treats her father brought home from the nearby whaling station. She would help her mother cook the whale meat in a curry, and at age 11, she was crowned Miss Diwali as part of the annual Diwali festivities at the school. The event was a celebration of cultural pride, where young girls dressed up and paraded, using red food coloring as lipstick.
The reunion also highlighted the resourcefulness and resilience of the community. Gonavathee Govender recalled how pupils carried bricks from their homes to build the school's tennis court. Dan Govender shared stories of families working together to build the school, and Solly Singh remembered picking fruit like guavas, avocados, and madonees, and catching guppies from the drains to use as bait for fishing.
The elders present at the reunion committed to initiating more gatherings and documenting their oral history in a book. The reunion was a testament to the enduring friendships and shared histories of the former pupils, who despite being separated by time and circumstance, still cherish the memories of their time at the Cabbage Primary School.
Key points
- The Wentworth Government Aided Indian School, affectionately known as the Cabbage Primary School, was established in the 1940s to serve the children of indentured laborers and immigrants.
