International
-Sathish Raman
Patriotism
stories
from
South
African
Indian-origin
volunteers
in
major
20th-century
wars
were
highlighted
at
the
South
African
Indian
Legion
(SAIL)
of
Military
Veterans’
annual
commemoration.
This
event,
held
with
Johannesburg’s
City
Council
at
the
Ditsong
National
Military
Museum,
honoured
these
soldiers’
contributions.
Despite
apartheid-era
limitations,
many
served
as
base
guards
or
truck
drivers,
with
few
advancing
in
military
careers.
image
Vinesh
Selvan,
a
South
African
Air
Force
veteran,
remarked
on
the
dedication
of
these
community
members.
“These
valiant
members
of
the
community
joined
the
army
to
defend
their
country
and
their
communities
despite
the
challenges
of
apartheid
which
reduced
them
to
these
lowly
positions
but
they
continued
with
dedication,” he
stated.
From
1948,
Indians
were
barred
from
armed
forces
until
1974
when
restrictions
eased.
Honouring
Historical
Contributions
SAIL,
founded
in
2018,
aims
to
research
and
promote
the
role
of
South
Africans
of
Indian
origin
in
military
history.
It
also
serves
as
a
hub
for
veterans
and
interested
civil
society
members.
The
organisation
has
recognised
those
who
fought
in
conflicts
like
the
Zulu
War
of
1879
and
the
Anglo-Boer
War,
including
Indian
soldiers
who
supported
the
British.
The
majority
honoured
are
Indian-origin
South
Africans
who
participated
in
World
Wars
I
and
II.
Among
them
was
Dharamraj
Aheer
Goordeen
from
Natal
province.
He
studied
medicine
in
India
and
became
one
of
the
first
South
Africans
of
Indian
origin
to
serve
in
the
Indian
Royal
Air
Force.
Tragically,
Goordeen
died
in
a
plane
crash
in
1942.
Remembering
Personal
Sacrifices
Goordeen’s
name
is
among
many
uncovered
by
SAIL,
commemorated
on
a
Wall
of
Remembrance
at
the
museum.
Young
South
Africans
laid
wreaths
at
this
memorial
to
honour
their
ancestors.
Thaven
and
Anasuya
Naidoo
attend
annually
to
remember
their
grandfather
Nadasen
Govender,
who
drove
military
trucks
in
North
Africa
during
World
War
II.
“We
had
never
met
my
grandfather,
but
after
hearing
about
his
role,
I
went
to
the
national
archives
and
found
a
whole
lot
of
information
about
him
–
enough
to
write
a
book
about
him,” Thaven
Naidoo
shared.
He
described
how
difficult
it
was
for
them
during
their
two-year
stint
in
Egypt
and
North
Africa.
Community
Involvement
and
Recognition
Veena
Patel
crafted
a
large
wreath
over
six
hours
for
Johannesburg’s
South
African
Indian
community.
Her
interest
began
after
visiting
Anzac
Cove’s
memorial
in
Turkey.
She
admitted
not
meeting
any
descendants
until
now
but
felt
compelled
to
honour
their
legacy.
SAIL
Chairman
Lionel
Moodley
awarded
medals
during
the
event.
Colonel
Ricky
Pillay
received
the
South
African
Indian
Legion
Service
Medal,
while
Kogie
Chetty
and
Magandren
Padayachee
were
given
the
Commemorative
Medal.
Roché
Vermaak
and
his
dog
Wolfi
were
also
recognised
for
raising
awareness
about
animals
in
wars.
“Both
were
recognised
for
their
contribution
by
SAIL
for
creating
awareness
about
animals
in
wars.
Vermaak
was
presented
with
a
Certificate
of
Appreciation
and
Wolfi
was
presented
with
an
Association
Badge,” Selvan
noted.
