Huge numbers turned up at funeral services to bid farewell to friends and relatives. Festivities played a cohesive role in highlighting the communal spirit. The Deepavali, Christmas and New Year events were periods for the whole community.

All municipal workers received weekly and monthly rations made up of non-perishable food like dhall, beans, mielie-meal, oil and salt. Wood was given to all. As there was no electricity in Tin Barracks, a paraffin ration was given to households.

Originally over 85% of the residents were Hindus; Christians were about 10% and a small proportion were Muslims. After about 1960, the Christian count increased, with a decrease in the Hindu population.

The Vishnu Temple built in 1895, was one of the oldest temples in South Africa. The much larger Mariammen Temple was later built next to it. The Hindi-speaking residents worshipped at the Somtseu Road Hindi Temple. The Telegu Baptist Church in Somtseu Road and the Tamil Baptist Church built on neighbouring railway property, catered for the Christian community.

Depot Road School, situated near the entrance of Magazine Barracks, was initially built to accommodate boys from Magazine Barracks. In fact, classes for boys (then Class 1 and 2) were held in drama hall situated inside the barracks. And from Standard 1 (now Grade 3), the boys were transferred to Depot Road. Most stayed until reaching Standard 6 and sat for the PSC Examinations (Primary School Certificate Examinations). Pupils achieving high grade passes were admitted to Sastri College. It was then the only secondary school for Indians in Durban.

Indian labourers were recruited by the municipality as early as 1864. In the early stages, several individuals and groups made representations and addressed complaints to their “bosses” about their working conditions and the issue of housing in Magazine Barracks. Out of this, the Durban Indian Municipal Employees Society (DIMES) came into formal existence on May 5,1935. Prominent community members played a leading role in its founding, especially George Singh.

Although most of the residents of Magazine Barracks were not “card-carrying” members of the Natal Indian Congress (NIC), they nevertheless supported all their activities. They attended en masse the rallies organised by NIC at the famous Red Square (Nichol Square in Pine Street). DIMES worked very closely with the NIC. On many occasions, there was joint representation, especially when seeking increased salaries, and demanding improved housing and or better working conditions.

The residents of Magazine Barracks were forcibly moved to Chatsworth between 1964 and 1966. Magazine Barracks residents had easy access to their respective places of work, schooling for their children, sports and leisure activities, including easy reach reach of the beaches, theatres and cinemas.

The Chatsworth housing township was located more than 20km from the city. Besides attending to the increased hazards of moving and settling in Chatsworth, the workers were now encountering major rental, transport and other subsistence related costs, placing which increased families under serious financial stress. It is believed that expenditure more than quadrupled in a short time.

magazine barracks

From Magazine Barracks to Chatsworth: the story of Durban's indentured labourers