Gandhi Press Release

*Press Release* * * *Gandhi Peace March on Saturday, August 16 2008*** Saturday, the 16th of August 2008 is an important date for the City of Johannesburg and indeed for South Africa. It was on this day exactly 100 years ago that Mahatma Gandhi led a group of some 3,000 citizens on a protest march against the infamous Registration Certificates. The march culminated at the Hamidia Mosque in Newtown with a symbolic bonfire of the Certificates. The events of August 16, 1908 are regarded as an important milestone in the evolution of passive resistance as a form of protest against racial discrimination and apartheid. The Chairperson of the Gandhi Committee and great-grand-daughter of the Mahatma stated that we must learn from this non-violent instrument called satyagraha and apply it to the current times. Hence the March and other activities to remember this historic event. To mark this important occasion, the Indian Consulate in Johannesburg has partnered with the Gandhi Centenary Committee, Museum Africa, the University of the Witwatersrand, the Hamidia Mosque, the Gauteng Department of Education and other important stakeholders to organize a series of events. The events include:- i) An Essay Competition for Grades 10 & 11 students from Gauteng Province on the theme "The Bonfire of 1908 – Passive Resistance Then and Now". ii) A Colloquium organized by the University of the Witwatersrand on the morning of 18 August 2008 on the same theme. iii) A public lecture by Prof. Kader Asmal on the evening of the 18 August 2008 at the Constitution Court on the theme "Passive Resistance". The centerpiece of these commemorative events is the *Gandhi Peace March*from Museum Africa in Newtown to the nearby Hamidia Mosque. The Indian Consulate is in contact with a wide range of community, civil society and other organizations to enlist their support for this march because Mahatma Gandhi's message of non-violence and passive resistance against injustice remains as relevant today as it was in 1908. The recent incidents of violence in Johannesburg, Cape Town and other areas make it especially poignant. The peace march would be organized on Saturday, the 16th of August 2008. The programme would commence at *Museum Africa at 09.30 a.m.* and culminate following a public function at Hamidia Mosque at 12.30 p.m. Hon'ble Mrs. Ambika Soni, India's Minister for Tourism and Culture would lead the march along with several South African leaders and heads of various community organizations. Minister Pallo Jordan will also be joining the walk along with Mr Kgalema Motlanthe. Everyone is invited to join the march and reaffirm commitment to Mahatma Gandhi's message of non violence. ******** For more information, please contact Ms. Saralinda at Tel. 011-4828491 Email: cgijhb@indconjoburg.co.za or cgofficejhb@gmail.com -- Kirti Menon -- Kirti Menon -- Kirti Menon