The newly established Natal Indian Congress Legacy Foundation (NICLEF) is seeking to ensure that the history and values of the liberation movement are not lost. The foundation, which held its inaugural meeting at the 1860 Heritage Centre in Durban recently, aims to preserve the legacy of the Natal Indian Congress (NIC), while creating opportunities for young people to engage with the experiences of those who fought against apartheid.
The foundation's main objectives are to preserve the NIC's name, legacy and intellectual property, while collecting and archiving documents, artefacts and oral histories linked to the organisation. According to Jeeven Padayachee, a Management Committee member of the NICLEF, the foundation also aims to promote the NIC's legacy through public programmes and co-operate with similar organisations to promote progressive history and nation-building.
The decision to establish NICLEF followed renewed public interest in the organisation during its 130th anniversary programme in 2024. Much of the NIC's history was at risk of disappearing, particularly as many former activists were ageing. Padayachee said that the foundation was concerned about preserving the oral histories of surviving NIC stalwarts, including their experiences of the Defiance Campaign, Congress Alliance and the struggle for non-racialism.
The NIC is often reduced to an ethnic organisation, but it evolved to become a significant force in the broader non-racial struggle from 1894. Padayachee said that another important part of the project was ensuring that the NIC's broader role in the liberation struggle was not forgotten. The NICLEF planned to establish a digital archive accessible to pupils, researchers and the public, as well as a NIC Youth Fellowship linking young leaders with veterans through mentorship, leadership training and inter-generational dialogue.
The foundation will also host heritage lectures, exhibitions, Freedom Charter dialogues and constitutional literacy workshops in schools and communities. Newsletters, short videos, social media storytelling and proposed school essay and debate competitions will form part of its youth engagement programme. The freedoms young people enjoy today were won through courage, sacrifice and solidarity, and the foundation wants them to appreciate that journey.
Despite its political roots, the NICLEF will not become a political party or contest elections as per its Constitution. However, it will engage in the political space to defend and promote non-racialism, democracy, social cohesion, constitutional rights and social justice. Yeshelen Govender, a civil society and humanitarian activist, joined the foundation because of his family's connection to the NIC and its significant contribution to the political struggle against apartheid.
The NICLEF could play an important role in transferring the experiences of older activists to younger generations. Govender believes that the foundation will help bridge the gap between older activists and the younger generations of emerging activists. The foundation's Board members include veteran NIC stalwart Ela Gandhi, while the Management Committee comprises struggle and political veterans, including Maggie Govender and Ravi Pillay. The foundation will be formally and publicly launched next year.
Key points
- The Natal Indian Congress Legacy Foundation aims to preserve the history and values of the liberation movement.
- The foundation will create opportunities for young people to engage with the experiences of those who fought against apartheid.
- The NICLEF will promote non-racialism, social cohesion, youth and leadership development, and democratic rights.
