ANC chairman visits Caneside Hindu Dharma Sabha Temple

The Caneside Hindu Dharma Sabha chairman, Shane Hansraj, KwaZulu-Natal ANC 
chairman, Sihle Zikalala and speaker of council, Cllr Logie Naidoo.

KwaZulu-Natal ANC chairman, Sihle Zikalala paid homage to Mother Durga at the Caneside Hindu Dharma Sabha Temple at the weekend. Clasping his palms in deep prayer, Zikalala was moved by the deep reverence worshippers had for the divine mother.

He extended greetings and good wishes to the Hindu community who are engaged in the period of the holy fast. Zikalala is no stranger to places of worship. During the Easter weekend he joined thousands of pilgrims at the Shri Marieammen Temple in Mt Edgecombe kneeling before the sacred “puthu” and receiving the blessings of the temple priest. He also made himself available to the Christian community at Easter services around the province. The Caneside community gave Zikalala a warm welcome.

The community also used the opportunity to engage on issues like housing, social ills affecting the community as well as basic municipal services like grass cutting. Zikalala committed to following up with both the municipality and the provincial government.  Social cohesion was one of his key messages. He emphasized on the point that the ANC was an organisation that “listens to the people, learns from the people and is trusted to provide leadership on the most difficult challenges”.  He also reminded worshippers that the ANC was founded in a church 104 years ago and that religious leaders from all faiths occupied are deeply respected by the organisation.

Residents recalled fondly the community work done by finance minister Pravin Gordhan in Phoenix since the early 1970s. As the later generation of that ANC leadership, Zikalala was confident that they would continue that strong record of community activism.  The Caneside Hindu Dharma Sabha chairman, Shane Hansraj thanked the community, sponsors, media and Sihle Sikala for all their support.

Source: Phoenix sun