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The third commemoration in the world of the ill-fated S.S. Tilawa will be held on the 82nd anniversary, Saturday November 23rd 2024. For the first time on African soil a full auditorium will officially acknowledge the incident, and memorialize the loss of 280 lives. Many families connected to the forgotten tragedy will meet in the area of the port of Durban, South Africa. It is here that the ill-fated S.S. Tilawa was destined for. The event is by invitation only, and will be hosted at the Norwegian Hall. 

Founder of Tilawa 1942, Emile Solanki, says:

“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 there Tilawa departed from the Ballard Pier for the final time. Hundreds of Indians in the UK were connected to this tragedy. Tilawa was a British ship, and there were many non-Indian British personnel onboard. With positive expressions from His Majesty The King, and Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks office, as well as support from the British Deputy High Commissioner in India and the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, it was appropriate to hold the second commemoration here. Many in Africa could not attend in-person. It is moving to think these ones will finally have an opportunity after 82 years, to pay their respects. We are grateful for the love, support, and collaboration of the S.S. Tilawa Foundation, South Africa. They are working hard to ensure this event is a success.“

Recently the legal matter on the salvage of silver bars discovered on the S.S. Tilawa wrecksite in the middle of the Indian Ocean in 2017, has been settled between Argentum Exploration Ltd. (The Salvors) and The Republic of South Africa (The Owners). The U.K Supreme court overturned the decisions of both the High Court and The Court of Appeals. The Republic of South Africa were claiming state immunity from an in-rem submission on the part of Argentum when declaring the silver bullion at The Receiver of Wreck, in Southampton, UK. There were 2,364 bars at a value of $42 million US dollars, amounting to 60 tons of silver. The settlement, which took place a few weeks before the UK Supreme Court ruling, remains private and confidential. It is understood that The Republic of South Africa smelted their portion of bars, and sold the silver with funds going straight to their treasury. However one silver bar was apparently designated for their museum. Tilawa 1942 are also working on museum/exhibit possibilities in Britain. 

Members of the press and Tilawa connected families are invited to reach out to Emile Solanki for or with further information. More on the forgotten tragedy can be found at tilawa1942.com 

In 7 days (Thursday November 23rd) a packed Leopold Muller Theatre at the National Maritime Museum Greenwich, will host the 81st anniversary on British soil of the ill-fated S.S. Tilawa. This will be the second commemoration in the world, following Mumbai India last year. The event is by invitation only. 

Baroness Verma and the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Greenwich will be amongst the special guests attending. Most of the audience will be Tilawa families including 2 survivors, Mrs. Tejparkash Mangat, and Mr. Arvindbhai Jani. Many families will also be visiting from Canada, South Africa, and the USA. 

Last week the British Deputy High Commissioner kept his promise from a year ago, when the Maritime Mumbai Museum Society represented tilawa1942.com in laying a wreath to memorialize 280 people who tragically lost their life 81 years ago on November 23rd 1942.

A few days following the commemoration will be an unprecedented UK Supreme Court maritime hearing between Argentum Exploration and the Republic of South Africa. This is regarding the salvage of silver bars from the wreck site of S.S. Tilawa back in 2017. Founder of Tilawa 1942 Heritage Productions and Tilawa1942.com, Emile Solanki, says: "Whilst we have no interest in the legal battle of the silver bars, we are deeply interested in the research, photographs, footage, and stories of Tilawa's discovery. To imagine in 2017 after searching for 6 months, a dedicated crew found the ship, and saw remnants of what my late great-grandfather travelled on, means so much to me. I am excited to learn more in time." 

November will indeed be a momentous month!

Members of the press and Tilawa connected families are invited to reach out to Emile Solanki for or with further information. More on the forgotten tragedy can be found at tilawa1942.com