Love spawns generations from India to South Africa and beyond

GOPAUL Iyer and Muthaki Gounder were both born in 1868 in Coimbatore, south India.

Although there is not much historical record of the years preceding their departure to South Africa, it is reasonable to assume that there was a binding love that they shared.

Gopaul attended a cultural festival in 1886 where he laid eyes on Muthaki. She travelled from her village (Cotoor) to visit family in Gopaul’s village.

Muthaki was accompanied by her cousin, Karuppannen Gounder, who was two years younger than her and Gopaul’s friend. He was the agent provocateur and was