Walk in the footsteps of the great Mahatma Gandhi and honour his legacy by participating in the annual Salt March 2014, starting from the Phoenix Settlement, ending at the Athletics Stadium, opposite Moses Mabhida Stadium, on 6 April 2014, from 7am.

The 18 kilometre march is a non-competitive event which is designed for the whole family to take part in. It is also a great event to meet people and commit oneself to the goals of Ubuntu and non-violence.

How the Salt March began is when after returning to India from South Africa, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, commonly called Mahatma Gandhi, began to mobilise the Indian masses in non-violent defiance campaigns, or Satyagraha, which was started in South Africa in 1906.

On the 8 March 1930, Gandhi announced at a meeting in Ahmedabad that, “I want to deprive the government of its illegitimate monopoly of salt. My aim is to get the Salt Tax abolished as the first step towards freedom.” He maintained that if 700 000 villages violated the Salt Law, the government will be powerless.

Salt is an essential item in food, and when tax had to be paid on the natural mineral, it became a gross violation of a fundamental right. The defiance, which is now commemorated, was a demonstration of the people’s power in a non-violent non confrontational way.

He started with a group of 78 defiance campaigners and walked for 24 days over 200 miles, reaching Dandi, India, after mobilising thousands of villagers on the way. The amazing part of the campaign was the absolute discipline and bravery displayed by the young volunteers who were beaten and harassed by the police but remained firm and resolute in their refusal to retaliate. This walk celebrates the life of Mahatma Gandhi and his commitment to non-violent action.

The Salt March is also commemorated by many countries. Sweden, Finland, USA, Canada and India have had marches over the years and many other countries are also organising similar events such as Brazil, New Zealand and Australia.

So be part of history and participate in the annual Salt March. There will be buses en route to transport participants to the Athletics Stadium if you are unable to walk the full 18 kilometres. Medals and T-shirts will be given to all participants who finish the walk. There is no registration fee but donations can be made to the Gandhi Development Trust.

To register, call 081 750 1004 or go to www.saltmarch.org.za

– Waheeda Peters