81st ANNIVERSARY of the s.s. tilawa (2023)

In collaboration with Tilawa1942, the SS Tilawa Foundation South Africa organized the third commemoration of the ill-fated S.S. Tilawa. 

The event was held on the 82nd anniversary, Saturday November 23rd 2024. Many families on the continent of Africa met in the area of the port of Durban, South Africa. It is here that Tilawa was destined for. For the first time on African soil a full auditorium officially acknowledged the incident, and memorialize the loss of 280 lives. 

The event was by invitation only, and hosted at the Durban Regent Business School. 

Leading up to the event, the founder of Tilawa1942, Emile Solanki said: 

“It was always our dream to have India, UK, and South Africa officially recognize the forgotten tragedy, and have a moment of silence for the loss of our loved ones. Mumbai was the first ever commemoration in the world, because Tilawa departed from the Ballard Pier for the final time. Hundreds of Indians in the UK were also connected to this tragedy. Tilawa was a British ship, and there were many non-Indian British personnel onboard. With positive expressions from His Majesty King Charles III, and former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks office, support from then British Deputy High Commissioner in India Mr Alan Gemmell OBE, and senior leadership at the National Maritime Museum London Greenwich, it was appropriate to hold the second commemoration here. Many in Africa could not attend in-person. It is moving to think many families in Africa will finally have an opportunity after 82 years, to pay their respects. We are grateful for the love, support, and collaboration of the SS Tilawa Foundation South Africa. They are working hard to ensure this event is a success.”

Listen to a recent radio interview conducted in September 2024 discussing the lead-up to the Durban commemoration on YouTube link (Click here)

There has been an excellent partnership between Tilawa1942 and The SS Tilawa Foundation South Africa. 

“Thanks to friends like Mr. Haroon Tar Mahomed, we were able to obtain a copy of the passenger list, and 2 very special photographs. One showing Tilawa passengers in a lifeboat, and the other of those rescued aboard HMS Birmingham. What an incredible discovery this was! Mr. Haroon should be praised for his efforts over the years in connecting with many Tilawa families, especially on the continent of Africa. Whilst the passenger list is incomplete, to this day I am overwhelmed with emotion to see my great-grandfather's name!” said Emile. 

On behalf  of the SS Tilawa Foundation, Mr. Tar Mohomed made the special effort back in 2023, to attend the commemoration in London Greenwich. Many enjoyed his interview. 

Additionally, to mark the 82 anniversary of the forgotten tragedy and complement the Durban commemoration, Emile’s father Mr. Mukesh R. Solanki (aka Kash Kumar, Sabras Radio, Leicester) organized the first Tilawa1942 Cricket Tournament in Navsari, Gujarat, India. It was held in December 2024. Since Navsari is the main town connected to the Solanki family village of Kachholi, it was thought this initiative, through sport, would help educate and directly connect the Navsari populus to this historic incident.