Gandhi's heritage in SA is in bad state

Johannesburg, Aug 25: The heritage of Mahatma Gandhi's historic Tolstoy Farm faces an uncertain future following a series of thefts at the plot which is supposed to turn into a museum and skills training centre.

Mohan Hira, Gandhi Remembrance Committee in South Africa has under taken many projects to raise awareness of the destroyed farm situated near Lenasia, where thousands of South African Indians were forcibly relocated.

But despite the presence of many Indians in the region, Tolstoy farm fell to develop after the last caretaker resident, Jeram Bhana moved off the property in 1970 amid security concerns.

"I remember the tranquility' how the place was full of apricot-laden trees in summer and there were a few locals surrounding the farm as well," Bhana lamented on the decline of the historic site.

Tolstoy Farm was established on land donated to Gandhi by his close friend and architect Herman Kallenbach.

The land served as self-sufficient refuge for men, women and children as Gandhi led the protests against discriminatory laws at the time.

Now it remains as barren land with no one taking serious responsibility on the historic site to rebuild it.

OneIndia News