The annual Merebank Fair will once again take place at the Badulla Drive sports ground over two consecutive weekends, starting on Friday, August 21st. The event, which has evolved from a community fair in 1991 into a book documenting generations of memories, uses its past to shape the future of the community.
The fair is scheduled for August 21st to 23rd and August 28th to 30th. Its goal is twofold: to provide residents with accessible and high-quality entertainment while simultaneously raising funds for the Merebank Book Legacy Trust.
The Foundation Chairman and fair organizer, Viren Singh, noted that all collected funds, including revenue from book sales, are directed towards realizing community development goals. Singh expressed deep satisfaction with the publication of the book, emphasizing that for the first time in the community's history, the book was researched and written by the entire community without a single author.
The publication, titled 'The Legacy of Merebank: Our People, Our Culture, Our Stories,' will be presented on September 13th at 12:30 PM in the M.T.S.S. hall.
Roots of the Book Project
The origins of the book project date back to 1991, when at the initiative of the late Govinden Ramsamy, then chairman of the Merewent Taxpayers Association, it was proposed to document the community's history. Ramsamy stated at the time that with the advent of democracy, it was necessary to record the rich history of the people.
In 1985, the Merewent Alumni Society (MESS) was actively functioning throughout the 1980s, organizing annual sports galas and parades with floating decorations accompanied by numerous spectacles. Singh, who held the position of association secretary at the time, took up this challenge, using a tape recorder to capture the memories of community members. More than three decades later, this vision materialized into a community-written book that includes photographs, documents, and personal stories.
Singh stated that the central theme of the book is 'The Book and Beyond,' and its aim is to inspire residents through the achievements and experiences of previous generations. He added that the book should serve as a foundation for people to strive for even greater heights in all aspects of life and improve the quality of life through self-improvement.
History of the Fair Itself
The fair itself has a history comparable to the original concept of the book. Initially, it was a project of the Merewent Residents' Association, conceived in 1991 by community leader, youth, and student Roshan Ramdhin. At that time, Merebank faced serious issues of industrial pollution due to the location of two oil refineries within a kilometer of each other, and further industrial development was being discussed.
The first fair provided entertainment for residents and raised funds to counteract environmental companies. It was held annually until 1995, when the Residents' Association was denied permission to use the venue. Among the main events of the first fair was a performance by the national Indian cricket team.
The fair was revived in 2024 after the launch of the Merebank Book Project in 2023 and returned in 2025. This year's event will combine entertainment with educational and social activities, including an auto show, live performances, cultural shows, children's attractions, competitions, and the annual Edufair.
The Edufair is expected to attract over 2000 primary and middle school students. According to Edufair organizer Shamala Singh, this year's theme is 'a healthy mind and a healthy body are the key to successful learning,' and Bidvest Facilities Management provided a significant donation for this initiative. Furthermore, the event will host a party for senior citizens and a children's festival, expecting about 1500 children.
Perhaps the most compelling link between the fair and the book lies in the rich stories preserved in the publication. Among the local history documented in the book are memories of the historic Natraj cinema in the Merebank mall, where families would attend evening screenings on Saturdays dressed in their best clothes. The cinema had the largest screen in Natal and even featured a special baby booth where mothers could watch films without disturbing other viewers.
Another story tells of the indomitable spirit of the Santos FC footballers, who were placed in a police 'milk truck' for alleged aimless loitering while preparing for the final at Badulla Drive. The team was released at 3 AM and subsequently won the final 3-0.
For Singh, it is these memories that make the book special. He noted that 'the book has gained a life of its own, and its amazing kaleidoscope of stories creates a rich tapestry of the Merebank people.'
The Foundation aims to raise 2 million rupees, which will be directed towards supporting sustainable community development projects aimed at improving, revitalizing, and modernizing Merebank. The fair opens at 3:00 PM on Fridays, 10:00 AM on Saturdays, and 12:00 PM on Sundays.
For the organizing committee, the goal extends far beyond merely reminiscing about the past. It stated that 'the Foundation was created to uplift, improve, revitalize, and modernize Merebank, and to create a renaissance in the community by initiating sustainable community development projects through self-development, just as our ancestors did.'