A charter dated 15 July 1856 created the colony of Natal. It was given a legislative council of sixteen members, twelve elected and four officials. As was the case in the Cape Colony, there was no colour bar in the constitution, but it was for all practical purposes impossible for a person who was not white to become a voter. The colony struggled to find its feet, with the value of imports in 1859 almost double that of exports. Between 1857 and 1861 ivory accounted for most of the value of the exports and sugar and molasses for just over one-fifth. After the labour shortage had been solved through the importation of Indians (See Indians in Natal), sugar began its rise as the staple product of the economy.
By 1871 the white population had reached only 18 000 but inspired by the grant of responsible government to the Cape in 1872, the legislative council asked for the same. London had different ideas and sent Sir Garnet Wolseley out as a special commissioner with extensive powers to change the constitution and the native administration. In Pietermaritzburg he entertained the white leadership, ‘drowning their liberties in sherry and champagne’, in the words of his biographers. On his insistence the representation of the officials on the legislative council and the power of the lieutenant-governor was increased. Natal finally received a parliament in 1893. Zululand was incorporated into Natal in 1897.
It was estimated that by 1872 there were some 17 500 whites, 300 000 blacks and 5 800 Indians. By the end of the decade there were 22 000 whites and 12 800 Indians. The latter helped to push up the production of sugar from 1 173 tons in 1859 to 10 172 tons in 1874. They suffered extensive discrimination, which was highlighted when a young Indian, Mohandas Gandhi arrived twenty years later, (See The battles of Gandhi).
