TO recognise and pay homage to the heroines who were part of the Struggle for democracy in South Africa, a memorial bust of Dr Kesaveloo Goonaruthnum Naidoo (also referred to as Dr Goonam) will be unveiled on National Women's Day next month.
The unveiling is a collaborative effort by the Mount Edgecombe Hindu Trust, the Shri Mariammen Temple Society, and the Mount Edgecombe Arts and Cultural Council.
The event will be held at the temple in Mount Edgecombe at 24 Sugarmill Way from 10am.
Seelan Achary, the chairperson of the Shri Mariammen Temple, said: "August 9 is observed as National Women's Day in our country, and it is appropriate to host the event on a day that holds historic significance for South Africa.
"The Shri Mariammen Temple Society and Trust took a decision to honour our heroines and heroes, particularly those who fought and gave their lives for our freedom and democracy. In addition to worshipping and revering 'Mother Mariammen', we decided that we should honour our women leaders; as we have a duty to honour those leaders who came before us.
"Dr Goonam was a true servant of the people and a leader of society. She was a mother to many of us, a medical doctor, and a tough and feisty community and political leader. She was ahead of her time in fighting for a non-racial and non-sexist democratically-prosperous South Africa; and she earned her place in our struggle. We desperately need her type of leadership today."
Achary said they initially erected a memorial to honour the Native American Vista to the temple in June 2002.
"Thereafter, we erected the 1860 Memorial Monument to honour the arrival of our forebears from India to Natal; the Sivananda Peace Pillar; and we unveiled a memorial bust of Valliamma Munusamy Mudaliar."
He said the temple also paid homage to mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers, who kept the home-fires burning, particularly in the kitchen; with a memorial of kitchen items and utensils.
The bust of Dr Goonam, said Achary, was made of marble and was completed.
"The bust will be installed alongside other historical memorials we have unveiled over the many years."
A traditional breakfast will be served from 9am as well as lunch. The public is welcome to attend.