SS Tilawa Foundation to hold commemoration of sinking in Durban for first time

The S.S. Tilawa Foundation, in collaboration with Tilawa 1942, will commemorate the 1942 loss of the passenger liner in Durban for the first time on November 23rd, 2024.

The 3rd commemoration of the ill-fated SS Tilawa will also mark the 83rd anniversary since her sinking on November 23rd, 1942, when she was struck by two torpedoes fired from a Japanese Imperial Army submarine during World War II.

The passenger liner was sailing from Bombay, India (now Mumbai) for Durban in South Africa, and was sunk just north of the Seychelles near midnight. The tragedy led to the loss of more than 280 passengers and crew, while many survivors were left severely traumatised.

The 3rd commemoration will be held at the Regent Business School in Durban, where a full auditorium will officially acknowledge this tragedy and memorialise the loss of lives. Many families connected to the forgotten tragedy will meet in the area of the port of Durban. 

SS Tilawa was a largely forgotten tragedy until 2017 when the wreck was partially explored and 2,364 bars of silver valued at $42 million was salvaged.

The South African government opened a court case against the salvors, claiming ownership of the silver on behalf of the Union of South Africa, which was the self-governing British colony between 1910 and 1961.

The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom in May of this year, delivered a judgement with regard to the silver, in favour of the Republic of South Africa.

“The S.S. Tilawa Foundation in collaboration with Tilawa 1942 warmly welcomes all family members connected in any way to the Tilawa tragedy to the 82nd Anniversary Commemoration,” the foundation said in a statement. 

“A whole day event is planned for 23 November 2024 beginning with a Durban harbour cruise, a visit to the Maritime Museum, and various interviews and speeches and audio-visual exciting presentations by local and international guests. 

“We are honoured to be in position 82 years later to present actual live recorded interviews from survivors of this November 1942 World War II event. The three known survivors are Arvindbhai Jani from South London, Abdul Gaffaar Osman from Leicester, UK and Tejparkash Mangat from Cincinnati, US. We hope to be graced with the presence of Osman who is, by the grace of God, 90 years old this year. We are also very excited to be hosting the daughter of Arvindbhai at the event. Unfortunately, Arvindbhai can only join us by way of video communication due to ill health.”

The commemoration event will be wrapped up with a gala dinner at the NMJ Hall and an evening of socialising thereafter. Those interested in attending can visit the foundation’s website for further information.