India-South Africa India-South Africa 2019 | Page 41

Durban hosts the largest number of Indians
settled in the country.
Indian Origin People in South Africa: Post-
Apartheid
The end of the apartheid in South Africa
off ered both opportunities as well as challenges
for people of Indian origin in the country.
Apartheid hierarchy created by the whites had
treated Indians comparatively better than the
indigenous black Africans as per the divide and
rule policy. Indian trader and labour activism
also ensured that they were in a comparatively
better situation than the indigenous blacks of
the country. Therefore in the post-apartheid era
as well, the economic and social conditions of
Indian origin people were visibly better than their
African brethren. As a group they were better
skilled due to their experience in agricultural
fi elds, plantations, mines and trade.
The Indian community in South Africa
despite its linguistic and cultural diversity has
been able to make a mark as an enterprising
and prospering group within the nation. Despite
second migrations in the mid-twentieth century
due to restrictive laws, the Indian community
in South Africa has rebuilt itself in a very
short time. The current generation of South
African Indians has left its traditional caste
consciousness behind and has also adopted
English as their language. This has contributed
to their success within and outside South Africa.
Their keenness to receive any new opportunity in
terms of education, employment and productive
economic activity has contributed to their
distinction as a hard-working community. In
fact South African Indians as a group have
seen the fastest rate of upward social and
economic mobility in the country. They are
present in almost all respectable occupations
like teaching, medicine, engineering, business,
and government. Although there are many
Indian origin people in South African politics
both at cadre level and high positions, they are
comparatively less active than the apartheid
era. Turning more to entrepreneurship and skill
oriented occupations,they have been appearing in
the lists of most prominent people and achievers
in the country.
South African Indians have also maintained
many of their traditions, cultural forms and
festivals. But, they have also adopted the
language and culture of Afrikaner, Blacks and
The end of the apartheid in South
Africa offered both opportunities
as well as challenges for people of
Indian origin in the country.
others. Hindu temples, Mosques and Indian
festivals are great attractions in South Africa.
The South Indian festival of Kavadi in the
honour of Lord Muruga, the Mariamman
festival (commonly known as porridge prayers),
Draupadi (known for fi re walking) are celebrated
by diff erent Indian groups. The Hindu festival
of Diwali (the festival of lamps) is the most
celebrated Indian festival in Durban and around
South Africa. Small Indian origin Muslim group
also organise Muharram observations. Unique
Indian cuisine, especially South Indian, is quite
popular among South Africans. ‘Bunny Chow’,
a dish made of bun and curry is another popular
Indian invention in South Africa.
South African Indians have adopted their
land of migration and consider South Africa as
their home. Due to peculiar historical conditions,
they have little knowledge about India. They also
communicate less in Indian languages. This helps
them integrate more with their South African
identity. Most of them have adopted English as
their fi rst language, and their vernaculars remain
the language within their houses. However
Bollywood movies with English subtitles are
popular among them. These movies maintain
their cultural connect with India and make them
feel good about identifying with their Indian
origins.
The new South African Indian generation is
educated, ambitious and enterprising. They are
ready to take risks and move forward and go
wherever they fi nd better opportunities. They
have been migrating both within and outside of
Africa in search of business and employment.
They are important contributors to the South
African growth story providing important skilled
labour and services as well as innovation and
leadership at various levels. This has happened
despite sections of the South African society
accusing Indians of carrying a racist attitude
and the Indian origin people complaining
of discrimination in the implementation of
India-South Africa • 2019 • 41