Singapore -- (SBWIRE) -- 01/06/2011 -- The former Johannesburg home of Mahatma Gandhi is on the market and Coal India Limited, an Indian state controlled company based in Kolkata, are making their second attempt to buy the South African property.

Mahatma Gandhi travelled to South Africa in 1893 to handle a legal case in Pretoria and moved to Johannesburg in 1903.

After living in rooms behind his office on Rissik Street, Johannesburg for some time, Gandhi moved into the house at 34 Grove Road

Gandhi lived at the house for three years in the early 1900s; the property belonged to Ghandi’s business partner, Henry Pollak.

Coal India’s first attempt to buy the Gandhi property came in August 2009 when company officials realised it was up for sale.

Subsequently, the owner decided to sell to another buyer but the sale fell through as the property was not officially registered.

Now the Gandhi property is fully registered and back on the market.

India’s coal union minister, Sriprakash Jaiswal, who also represents Coal India, is scheduled to visit the property in Johannesburg soon to try and secure a deal.

"The owner of the house has expressed her willingness to talk to us regarding our proposal to buy Gandhi's house and build a memorial there. I will leave for official work in Mozambique and South Africa on January 4 and will talk to her during my visit to Johannesburg. Hopefully, we should be able to buy the house this time," commented Jaiswal.

Officers and employees of Coal India have also offered to sacrifice one day’s pay to raise money for the Gandhi memorabilia they want to display in the property.

Article source: http://blog.oceanvillasgroup.com/mahatma-gandhi-south-african-home-up-for-sale/

Author:
Rebecca Smith
Ocean Villas Group
http://www.oceanvillasgroup.com