Recognition of Indians in South Africa

To Whom It May Concern:

The reason for this platform is to redress the recognition of Indians In South Africa with the right to petition Government and other relevant structures.

Most non-Indians do not know of the history of Indians in South Africa and just assume that we have come here for opportunities. We ask that our government starts including ‘The history of Indians in South Africa’ in our history books so that other racial groups will be educated on the history and struggle of Indians and not just take us for opportunists.

Indians have also contributed to the movement for change but today, we have to be a part of the race groups that fall second in line. Indians, together with the other race groups are looked at last when it comes to job opportunities, business opportunities, education, and etc. We question, why? Indians, together with other race groups are certainly not the majority, therefore, to top it off; we are still second in line. We have come a long way from 1994 and even though its 22 years down the line, we would expect a change - a change where we are all looked at as human beings first then race groups. After all, we are all one! We expect to be looked at that way and more importantanly, taken seriously as we have also contributed to shaping this country. We expect to have equal opportunities for all irrespective of race, colour or creed!

With further reference to the above, please see below, more information on SAINT (South African Indian National Transformation) - A VOICE for all Indians.

 

SAINT (South African Indian National Transformation) was formed in May 2016 by Preyalan Pillay. The main reason for forming this organisation is purely for the representation of all Indians in South Africa – basically, a VOICE for all Indians in South Africa.


Firstly, I’d like to start off by saying that we live in a beautiful country, despite all the negative aspects such as the high crime rate, this country is still beautiful and would be one of the best countries in the world or at least one of the top 5 countries in the world if it were not for crime, etc.


Our history of Indians living in South Africa dates as far back as 1860 and it’s sad to say that it was not a pleasant trip for any of our ancestors therefore we have to honour them as they had it extremely tough during those trying times. They were forced to leave our mother city, India, and shipped to South African shores to work under harsh conditions at the sugar plantations as indentured labourers just to earn a living. The history of Indians in South Africa was not a satisfying one as they experienced many hardships, however, thanks to them; South Africa as well as many other countries has had the privilege of growing sugar cane and experiencing its sweetness.


The thought of Indians having experienced being enslaved over and above them not having any contact with their families in India is quite upsetting. This explains why most of us don’t know who or where our family history dates back to.
Indians did not come to South Africa because they wanted to, but because they were forced to hence I say that they have worked hard for this country and have contributed a lot, especially towards the freedom of this country! Many Indians have even died fighting for this country – mainly Valliama Munuswami Mudliar who together with her fellow activists actively sought to build unity across religious, class and gender barriers; Mahatma Gandhi who initiated a campaign of active, non-violent resistance against discriminatory laws, was another that fought for our country together with many others. Indians were a part of the movement for change – many went to jail for South Africa and many helped shape this country.


Today, it saddens me to think that 22 years down the line, it seems like all of that fight and struggle has become meaningless. Indians have also contributed to the movement for change but today, we have to be a part of the race groups that fall second in line. Indians, together with the other race groups are looked at last when it comes to job opportunities, business opportunities, education, and etc. We question, why? Indians, together with other race groups are certainly not the majority, therefore, to top it off; we are still second in line. We have come a long way from 1994 and even though its 22 years down the line, we would expect a change - a change where we are all looked at as human beings first then race groups. After all, we are all one!


Although the white government was bad to all races - not all white people are bad and not all of them should be held accountable as there are many good ones around today. We should however, give white people due as they have contributed to the development of the country and we should always acknowledge that. They have put up buildings and built the roads that we travel on today, etc. Not all whites, Indians, Mixed race or Black people are bad; we get good and bad people across all race groups. For the bad people who do evil, we have a judicial system and if found guilty, they can be imprisoned.
Since all other race groups are a minority to the black majority, it would be right to be free and fair to all, offer jobs and opportunities to all irrespective of race, caste or creed. We all have a history and love our country and many are leaving this country because we are looked at last with jobs and opportunities.


Most non-Indians do not know of the history of Indians in South Africa and just assume that we have come here for opportunities. We ask that our government starts including ‘The history of Indians in South Africa’ in our history books so that other racial groups will be educated on the history and struggle of Indians and not just take us for opportunists.
Many Indians have and still do contribute to the wealth of this country. As far as the Gupta’s are concerned - The government could have handled the relationship better since we need people like the Gupta’s but our government allowed them to control too much. Should that not have happened and the government handled it better by putting their foot down and kept it to business only, things wouldn’t have gone out of hand.


Again, I emphasize on equal opportunities for all; let us all love each other as human beings, let’s not let colour or race separate us, we are all God’s children.


Going forward for our country, here’s what I propose:


We need to have stricter boarder security and put a stop to corruption in home affairs as our country is becoming over crowded with foreign people. When allowing foreigners into the country, we should be stricter and take their education into consideration, etc. It must be people that will only benefit our country.

We need to start combining our policing departments or get our army involved in cleaning out slums, for example, Hillbrow, etc. and let’s win back our cities and our country.

We need harsher measures with regard to drugs, drug lords and crime all together.

We want an end to corruption – No to corruption!

Discipline of youth - back in the day, we grew up disciplined because of corporal punishment and we were taught to respect our teachers, parents, elders and assets. Today, most of the youth respect nothing and no one.

Let’s take examples from Nelson Mandela, Ahmed Kathrada, Mahatma Gandhi, etc.

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Love all... Serve all!

Let’s think of God first before we do anything!