New Centre for South African Heritage opens in Chennai, showcasing Indian African culture

THE newly-opened Centre for South African Heritage at La Woods Hotel in Chennai serves as a vital resource for understanding the cultural and historical contributions of Indian Africans in South Africa, showcasing a personal collection of literature and memorabilia.

The centre was officially opened in December by the vice chairman of Welcome Tours in Chennai, Krishnamurthy Gopinath, and Selvan Naidoo, director of the 1860 Heritage Centre in Durban, together with Verushka Pather, Dinesh Naidoo, Thiru Karunanidhi Duraimanickam, and Agnesh SK.

The centre was the brainchild of Gopinath, and brings together his personal collection of South African Indian literature and newspapers that has served as a valuable resource for Indian students, South Africans visiting Chennai, as well as PhD students at the Department of African Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi.

Selvan Naidoo said the collection highlighted the unique and significant contribution Gopinath made to academic research on South Africa in India.

“By providing access to these materials, he directly supported in-depth scholarly exploration of the South African Indian experience. The centre provides a rich repository of cultural and historical information about Indian Africans living in South Africa.

“Gopinath has a long connection with South Africans for many decades with his father, Vidwan ‘Saiva Pulavar’ Krishnamurthy, and grandfather, Professor KM Venkataramaiah, assisting stalwarts like NC Naidoo, Mrs Dixon Pillay, and VM Reddy of South African organisations with book publications.

“He played a crucial role in compiling, transliterating, printing and proofreading Tamil language books, specifically tailored for South African schools and Tamil organisations,” Naidoo added.

He said Gopinath, who held a BSc degree in chemistry and had a 30-year career with Indian Railways, had voluntarily retired to dedicate himself to serving the Indian community in South Africa.

“His current role as vice president at Welcome Tours – La woods Hotels Group, known for their hospitality towards diaspora Indians, seems like a natural continuation of his dedication to connecting with and serving this community. This new role likely provides him with further opportunities to engage with and assist the diaspora.

“The opening of the centre provides a space for establishing a continued connection between South Africa and India in an emerging partnership of bringing together the BRICS global partnership and collaboration between major emerging economies,” Naidoo added.

Gopinath said it was wonderful to know that his personal collection of South African Indian literature and newspapers served as a valuable resource for PhD students at JNU and could now be accessible to everyone.

“The aim is to directly support in-depth scholarly exploration of the South African Indian experience. We need to promote the importance of heritage and identity, especially within a diaspora community. Connecting individuals with their ancestral origins can provide a powerful sense of belonging, cultural understanding, and personal fulfilment. It helps to keep the historical and familial ties alive across generations.

“Maintaining connections with many writers of South Africa like Selvan Naidoo, and organisations such as the 1860 Heritage Centre in Durban, is crucial in facilitating this process. 

“My decision to follow in the footsteps of my father and grandfather in assisting the South African Indian community is a deep-rooted family commitment and a powerful sense of legacy,” he added.

Gopinath said his connection to South Africa began in his youth, and was inspired by his late father, a  school principal.

“My father worked tirelessly with South African cultural and religious organisations such as the Natal Tamil Vedic Society (NTVS), the Merebank Tamil School Society (MTSS), and the Saiva Sithanda Sungum. Growing up, I was often called upon to showcase Tamil cultural gems when prominent South Africans visited our home. These interactions sparked a deep admiration for South African Indians and their rich heritage.

“In the 1960s, I assisted Dixon Pillay of the Isipingo Arutpa Kazhagam with the publication of Arutpa, a Tamil religious text, marking the start of a lifelong relationship with South Africa,” he said.

Over the years, Gopinath has supported thousands of South Africans, organising travel arrangements, sourcing rare publications, and sharing recordings of cultural and religious significance.

He said his home in Chennai had become a treasure trove of South African memorabilia, including books, recordings, DVDs, and cassettes by South African artists.

When his collection outgrew his home, he allocated space at the La Woods Hotel in Chennai for a dedicated display. 

He said the exhibit had become a must-visit for South African tourists, many of whom discover rare publications and recordings that are no longer available in their homeland.

Beyond showcasing history, Gopinath’s collection serves as an educational resource. Local Indian students use his archives to research the contributions of South African Indians to their adopted country.

"By doing so, we can ensure that the story of indentured Indians and their descendants are preserved for future generations,” he added.

THE POST