The Kings of Durban by Deepak Panday
Five Perfect Stars
In 1860, the first Indian migrants arrived in Durban, South Africa. They had been offered contracts which offered them a chance to work for five years and then return to India or a ten-year contract that offered them land equivalent to the cost of the return fare to India. Between 1860 and 1911, one hundred and fifty-two thousand Indians took the opportunity to become Indentured Labourers Contracts to work in Natal. This became the single biggest settlement of Indians outside of India.
The main reason for them settling in Natal was to establish sugar cane farms. However, they no sooner arrived when they realised that there was a need to establish shops for their needs and very quickly, Indian markets and shops sprung up in Durban. Along with the shops and sugar cane fields, Indians brought another, more sinister part of Indian culture; the mafia and warlords. Gangs really started to take hold of running their territories in Durban in the late 40s and 50s.
The main gangs were The Salots. A group who were given a licence to run taxis in the Durban area and who mainly consisted of the brothers in the family.
The Dutchins turf was around Old Dutch Road and the Warwick Triangle. These were involved in the distribution of opium.
The Grey Street gang operated from the Simons Café and spread their empire to the taxi ranks and committed many illicit crimes.
However, the main gang, who dominated the streets of Durban were called The Crimson League. Their birth was to act as vigilantes against the mafia who intimidated shop owners and Indian businesses. Once they had removed all the members of the Indian Mafia, they decided to continue operating. This group was made up of five powerful men who ruled their members with fists of iron. Honour was everything and justice was swift if anyone broke their code.
The Capo of the Crimson League was Chotoo Bana a man driven to ensure that justice
was served. Deepak Panday gained most of his insight into these gangs from Chotoo Bana, a man who had strong faith yet never thought twice about assassinating someone who was causing trouble for the Crimson League.
This is a detailed account of Indians becoming a major part of South Africas rainbow nation. Starting as lowly labourers; responsible to establishing vast sugar cane farms and eventually moving into every aspect of business and life in their adopted homeland.
What I didnt know before reading this book is that one of the reasons the farmers desperately needed them for establishing vast sugar cane farms, was because both male and female worked side by side in the fields whereas previously; the farmers had battled with the Zulus (who are the main race in Natal). Their culture dictated that women could work the lands, but not the men.
Another point this book makes is how Indians fared under the apartheid regime. Up to the inception of the draconian laws, they had been allowed to work and own businesses in most areas of Durban. Like other people of colour who were moved to some of the most barren areas in the country, they too were forced to move to designated Indian Areas. Its when one reads how this disgusting law affected the lives of every man woman and child by marking them that one realises how much hurt and heartbreak the laws at the time caused for people of all colours.
Deepak Panday must be praised by one and all for devoting YEARS to researching the subject of gang warfare in Natal. It wasnt just Natal who fell under the leadership of these warring gangs, their tentacles were soon spread to other parts of the country. One of the main reasons, the book has succeeded is because Deepak has concentrated on one man and his part in revealing this fascinating but dark history; namely Chotoo Bana. The man who loved deeply, always took time to consider his next move, who could be totally ruthless but also totally kind. A truly enigmatic character in South Africas history.
Manager of Breakaway Reveiwers Rony Treebeard Cambell
