1946 Resistance Camp

Date: 2 October, 1971

The Natal Indian Congress (NIC) was formally revived in 1971 after a long period of inactivity due to the harassment of its leaders by the apartheid government. It was formed in 1894 by Mahatma Gandhi with the objective of fighting discrimination against Indian Traders in Natal. It was also the first of the Indian Congresses to be formed.

The NIC led to the formation of other anti apartheid movements like the Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC), the Cape Indian Congress (CIC) and the United Democratic Front (UDF). After the banning of the African National Congress (ANC) both the NIC and the TIC were disbanded and their leaders became active in ANC underground formations.

References:

1. South African History Online, (2011). The Natal Indian Congress (NIC) [online] Available at www.sahistory.org.za [Accessed 22 September 2011]
2. Sewpershad, C. (no date). ‘The Significance of its Revival’ [online]. Available at www.disa.ukzn.ac.za [Accessed 26 September 2011]
3. Williams, G. and Hackland, B. (1988). ‘South African Indian Congress’ in The dictionary of contemporary politics of southern Africa. London: Routledge