Visit to Tolstoy Farm

I always knew about Mohandas Gandhi. I knew that he was a peaceful man who championed peaceful protest called satyagraha. However, his physical presence in South Africa from 1893 until 1914 was lost on me. He originally came to South Africa to work for Dada Abdulla & Company, but stayed well past his intended return to India once it became clear that the colonial government planned to deny Indians some of their rights.

Yesterday I attended the 100 year celebration of Tolstoy Farm, a farm originally envisioned by Gandhi and his friend, Hermann Kallenbach, located just outside of Johannesburg. I was originally purchased with the intent of it being a communal farm for passive resisters and their families. Also, the simple style of living was intended to prepare passive resisters for prison.

A large number of people showed up for the celebrations despite the chilly weather (it's not always sunny in South Africa, unfortunately). Furthermore, since only the foundations of the farm remain (it is no longer a working farm), a large tent was set up. The program consisted of a number of different events, from lecturers to a dance group and a "youth" group singing Gandhi's favorite hymn. And by "youth," I mean teens and early 20s. The lecturers were amazing, especially Ela Gandhi, Mohandas Gandhi's granddaughter, who is also politically active and an advocate of peaceful struggle. She stressed the importance of education, peace, and leading a simple life. Within the latter topic, she explained that if you take less, more is available to others.

The program ended with the planting of a tree..followed by people getting into their cars and turning up the heat.