DESPITE the records demonstrating that colonial Natal was among the most violent and vicious in the treatment of indentured workers, there are stories of goodwill and kindness that prevail.
There are various instances throughout indentured history in South Africa that validate the inherent goodwill of humanity despite the varying contexts of time.
In the initial years of indenture to South Africa, built into the initial five-year contract of indenture, was the offer of either a return passage to India or a plot of land after 10 years of service. The records reveal that the only crown land allocated to Indians in lieu of the return passage was 53 lots of 15 acres (6 hectares) in Braemar, on the Natal south coast.
An example of goodwill is shown by sugar cane plantation