Avoca

What do a Scottish sugar cane farmer and Durban have in common? The answer lies right here in Avoca. This northern suburb of Durban might seem unassuming, but it holds a story deeply intertwined with the history of Indian indentured labourers in South Africa. Avoca was named after a place in Scotland, the hometown of a Scottish sugar cane farmer who once lived here. But the early Indian residents called it “Pulwa Ples”, meaning “flowers” in a North Indian language, due to the many flower farms in the area. These labourers arrived in Durban in the late 19th century to work on sugar cane plantations, many ending up in Avoca. They lived in simple barracks built by sugar barons like Mr. Harrison. After their contracts ended, many labourers bought land in Avoca, putting down roots and building a vibrant community. Imagine Avoca back then, with the air filled with the scent of roses, daisies, and red hot pokers, all grown by the residents. They would gather at Mr. Essop Adam’s General Store at the corner of Umhlangane and North Coast Road, the heart of the community. Festivals were a kaleidoscope of cultures, with mock stick fights, the rhythmic beat of Nagara drums, and even the Tajiya festival, a beautiful display of model mosques and temples that brought Hindus and Muslims together. Avoca, once a settlement of labourers, became a testament to their resilience, their hope, and their enduring legacy in the heart of Durban.