The Hindu 11.11.2009
Durban municipality to ink MoU with Corporation
Syed Muthahar Saqaf
| For promoting links on various fronts between the two civic bodies |
Corporation delegation expected to visit Durban after MoU “MoU will also pave the way for Tamils to re-establish links”
DURBAN: The Ethekwini Municipality, Durban, will sign a memorandum of understanding with Chennai Corporation for promoting links on various fronts between both local bodies.
The formalities had already been worked out and the MoU will be signed in Chennai in January, Councillor Logie Naidoo, Deputy Mayor of the Ethekwini Municipality, told The Hindu here recently. The MoU was aimed at promoting information technology industry, cultural, business and sports links.
Mr. Naidoo said he visited Chennai Corporation twice in the recent past, the last trip being in January this year, to finalise the MoU. He had also called on Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. A Chennai Corporation delegation is expected to visit Durban after the signing of the MoU, he said.
Mr. Naidoo, whose forefathers hailed from North Arcot district of Tamil Nadu, said a large number of labourers from Tamil Nadu had come down to South Africa to work in the cane farms in and around Durban in the 1860s. At present, fourth and fifth-generation Tamils residing here have lost their links with their roots in Tamil Nadu and are on the lookout for their relatives. However, they visit various places in India often on pilgrimage or as tourists.
The MoU will also pave the way for the Tamils residing in Durban to re-establish contacts with their relatives. Mr. Naidoo said he himself had planned to visit Tamil Nadu next year to search for his relatives with the help of the ship documents of his forefathers.
He said many IT companies and other firms from Tamil Nadu had set up branches in Durban. Chennai-based IT firm Ramco System is doing business here. Apollo Tyres has purchased Dunlop Tyres, a South African company. The Murugappa Group is also here, he said.
Tamil films and actors are popular in South Africa, particularly in Durban. It is the Tamil films which enabled Tamils here to continue to have their link with the Tamil language and culture. Many continue to speak in a little Tamil thanks to the Tamil movies. “There are many important and eye-catching locations in South Africa, particularly in and around Durban. I want the Tamil film industry to shoot movies here. Such a move will also enable the Tamils here to re-establish their links with their roots,” Mr. Naidoo said.
