South Africa: SWPF Celebrates Indians:Zululand Observer

Sivananda World Peace Foundation (SWPF), in partnership with other non-profit organisations, has hosted a special event to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the arrival of indentured Indians to South Africa.

Development Diaries understands that the event served as a symbol of unity, promoting social cohesion and inclusivity of all communities and ethnic backgrounds. The ship SS Truro, it is understood, docked in Durban and more than 300 men, women and children stepped onto African soil to forever make South Africa their home.

Founder of foundation, Professor Ishwar Ramlutchman, said, ‘This year also marks 106 years since the return of Mahatma Gandhi to India from South Africa. ‘The peace apostle spent 21 years in Phoenix next to John Dube’s neighbourhood, where both these great leaders plotted and planned the democracy that all of us enjoy today.
‘KwaZulu-Natal, like the rest of South Africa, is a mix of various cultures. Through social cohesion, unity in diversity will become the rainbow nation of South Africa. ‘Acknowledging the role of the presence of our fellow Indian brothers and sisters in this country strengthens the existing bond between us. ‘Today is one of those occasions in the life of KwaZulu-Natal which places this province and the country firmly on the road to lasting peace and unity.

‘Peace becomes a non-negotiable in the life of a country when its people realise that we all have the capacity to contribute to the building of a better country. ‘Peace becomes a necessity when we all realise that without peace, our country cannot grow and prosper.

 Source: Zululand Observer Photo source: Sivananda World Peace Foundation.