The pounding on my door in the early hours of the 17 August 1985 sounded ominous and urgent. In my dreamy state I opened the door. I saw some familiar faces with terror etched on their faces. They were the bearers of horrendous tidings that the blacks were attacking Indians in Inanda, burning their houses, looting their possessions and taking over their homes.

For three days the reign of terror persisted. Virtually the entire Indian population that lived in Inanda which stretched for some 30 kilometres from lower Inanda at Phoenix Cash Store through to Upper Inanda, past SS Govender’s store, witnessed scenes of utter destruction with homes being burnt indiscriminately. The Indians who had settled in this part of the world over a century ago surviving as farmers, labourers, gardeners, transport operators and businessmen amongst others had to flee with only the clothes they had on, losing their lifelong possessions.

As the new of the unprovoked unrest spread across the land, stories of valiant rescue missions began to surface of how individuals ventured into the riot torn area to salvage whatever of value they could get. A few people even lost their lives,

Schools and community halls in Verulam and Phoenix were re-arranged as make shift homes for the hundreds of victims of the unrest whilst some lived with relatives. Family life was serverely interrupted. Benefactors from far and wide rallied together by providing food and clothing.

The then President of this Welfare Society, Mr. D Ganesh and I as Vice President, arranged an emergency meeting with senior officials of the then House of Delegates in order to seek urgent assistance for the unrest victims. Fotunately homes in the suburb of Caneside and Foresthaven units in Phoenix were almost reaching completion and these homes were already allocated to new owners. In view of this unforeseen catastrophe, the House of Delegates made these homes available to the Inanda refugees.

The Society played a pivotal role in identifying bona fide residents of Inanda by giving them letters of identification to qualify for houses. People were moved in batches and those who were left behind for a while became frustrated and critical. This transition period of victims moving out from their make shift homes in the schools to their newly acquired homes in Phoenix lasted some two years.

Concurrently, the Phoenix-Inanda Co-ordinating Committee was formed with Mr. Omie Singh, then a Democratic Party Councillor in Phoenix, as chairman, a few concerned former residents of Inanda and Mr. Ganesh and I representing this Child Welfare Society. The primary purpose of this committee was to liaise with other government departments in assisting the victims to start building their future.

This Committee led a delegation to the President’s Council in Pretoria to request financial assistance for the unrest victims. After much discussion and motivation the Council agreed to assist victims with R800.00 per family, paid over two installments of R400 each. Whilst this meagre amount did little to quench the financial thirst it was a welcome relief to most that had lost all their possessions.

Duffs Road Child and Family Welfare Society was tasked in identifying all bona fide residents of Inanda in order to ensure that these funds were not abused. However, there are a few who tried their luck. The process of identification and reaching finality in this massive exercise was a long and laborious one. The chief magistrate of Verulam was the primary guardian of the allocated funds. The members of this Society worked tirelessly during this period to ensure that this cumberstone and painful process benefited the real victims.

As we look back, some 28 years later, we proudly acknowledge the humanitarian work done by our members. This Society, since 1985 has devoted much of its reserves to assist the ex-Inanda residents with food hampers, furniture and clothing. Many of these families have rebuilt their lives, their families and their homes.

Up to this day, the cause of the unrest orchestrated by some individuals, has still to be unraveled. Today Inanda is populated entirely by blacks. It is hoped that the Inanda Riots was the last incident of the inter-racial strife as we endeavour to face the years free from racial barriers or hate.