Airing Durban’s “Dirty Linen”

Photographs from UKZN’s Gandhi-Luthuli
Documentation Centre have been included in an
exhibition of Durban’s “Dirty Linen”.

Historic photographs from UKZN’s Gandhi-Luthuli Documentation Centre are included in an exhibition highlighting Durban’s ‘Dirty Linen’.

The exhibition, titled Dirty Linen, ‘Other’ Durban, is run by Mr Leonard Rosenberg, co-ordinator of the Research of Curries and Surrounds (ROCS) research project and DUT Campus Planner.

According to Rosenberg, Dirty Linen “airs” the shameful past of the former Durban City Council, when it established a workers’ compound (Magazine Barracks, Railway Barracks and Somtseu Road Hostel) and engineered a “dual town” which became the “non- European” CBD (Grey Street and the Warwick Junction area). The “dirty linen” theme is also explored by displaying the images on cloth to resemble washing on a line.

The photographs from UKZN’s Documentation Centre highlight the Magazine Barracks, located in Durban’s city centre.

The Documentation Centre houses a wide variety of collections, including photographs and information on the Black Consciousness Movement, papers and documents on struggle stalwart Phyllis Naidoo and the Indentured Indian Collection, among others.

The Centre’s Thiru Munsamy is pleased the photographs will be viewed by a wider audience. Munsamy said the Centre has a wealth of information on the history of the country, particularly the history of the indentured Indian labourers.  ‘The Centre has volumes of information particularly regarding South African Indian history dating back to the time when they came by ship,’ said Munsamy.

‘The information on the Magazine Barracks was donated by individuals who wanted to share their experiences and the experiences of others about living in the Magazine Barracks.’

Details of the exhibition:

Date: The exhibition runs from 4 -11 August
Venue: Warwick Junction Project Centre, 22 Stratford Road, Warwick Junction (behind Cambridge Foods). Secure parking.

Entrance is free.