Does The Spirit Of Gandhi Live On In South Africa? |
By
Ela Gandhi
In every age, in
every country there are always those who have walked the extra mile,
who have made an extraordinary commitment and who have lived an
exemplary life. There are and have been many in South Africa who
dedicated their lives to the struggle for freedom in South Africa
and continue to carry the highest values and principles with them.
Their contribution to our country will no doubt serve to inspire the
new generation, as does Gandhiji’s life.
In South Africa
there are many who continue to arouse admiration and awe because of
the work they do and the lives they lead. These are quiet workers
who run Non Governmental Organizations providing invaluable service
to the cause of women, children, the physically impaired, the
elderly, the environment, animals and other vulnerable groups. The
contribution of such quiet workers to the well being of our society
continues to nurture in many ways the spirit of Gandhiji. Among
them are people such as Dr. Rambharos who runs the Aryan Benevolent
Home for the elderly, the infirm and children, and Dr. Imtiaz
Suleman who runs the Gift of the Giver’s Foundation providing
emergency services to millions.
There are also
active efforts to keep the historic significance of Gandhiji alive
in the country and internationally. Among the many organizations
that are directly linked to Gandhiji are those that have been
entrusted with the responsibility of administering land which was
bequeathed by Gandhiji to the community and others who run projects
of awareness through organizing annual events such as Gandhi Walks,
Gandhi Jayanti (birth anniversary) or educational and materials
development projects. Among these myriad organizations are some
that have been undertaken in the past decade by a group of
individuals who felt that there was a need to preserve, record and
disseminate the historic legacy of Gandhiji in South Africa.
In the exploration
undertaken by this group many important needs were surfaced, such as
the need to steer the course of transformation in South Africa in
terms of community empowerment, self-help, nation building and
cultivation of values of nonviolence. Accordingly, a monthly
newspaper, Satyagraha – In Pursuit of Truth, was started in
August 2000 to take this vision forward. It is not-for-profit
enterprise, which is evolving and growing within a carefully worked
out policy framework. In addition to running a newspaper,
Satyagraha also develops materials to advance the understanding of
the Gandhian legacy. These materials are distributed in schools,
community and youth organizations, and through interaction with
various media.
In 2002, the
Gandhi Development Trust was set up to administer a fund bequeathed
in the name of Gandhiji, and to take forward Gandhian values. The
Gandhi Development Trust was registered with three Trustees. In the
first year, grants were made to selected community organizations.
An annual Gandhi Lecture was launched with Dr. Vandana Shiva as the
first speaker. In the following year, to mark the centenary of the
first Gandhian newspaper, the Indian Opinion, awards were given to
leading journalists who braved the repressive apartheid government
and continued their sterling efforts to keep the public informed.
During 2003, in
collaboration with the M K Gandhi institute for Nonviolence
in USA, the Mahatma Gandhi Foundation in Mumbai and the
Gandhi Development Trust in South Africa, a Mahatma Gandhi Award
for Reconciliation and Peace was set up and presented to President
Mbeki for his outstanding work in bringing peace in Africa through
multilateral efforts. Thereafter annually an award is presented to
personalities from around the world who have made exceptional
contribution to the promotion of peace.
In September 2004,
the Trust hosted an exhibition in conjunction with a number of other
organizations, on the legacy of nonviolence. This exhibition
depicted a number of peace builders: Gandhiji, Martin Luther King
and Daisaku Ikeda of Japan, among others. There were seven panels
made in South Africa to depict South African heroes of the
struggle. This exhibition was seen by approximately 10 000 people,
including many school pupils in Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town.
During this time panel discussions on key issues were held in order
to deepen the knowledge about these icons of peace.
The Gandhi
Development Trust (GDT) commemorated the centenary of Phoenix
Settlement, the very first Ashram started by Gandiji in South Africa
and where his transformation occurred. In 2004 GDT identified 11
families of Pioneer Settlers and Associates of Mahatma Gandhi
between 1904-1914 and presented them with an award in recognition of
the dedication shown by these pioneering families. A booklet on the
origin of Phoenix Settlement was also published.
In 2005, on the 75th
anniversary of the Salt March of Dandi, India, the 50th
anniversary of the Freedom Charter of South Africa, the Gandhi
Development Trust set up a committee to organize a commemorative
march in South Africa from Phoenix Settlement to Battery Beach,
which is a 22 km. walk.
In keeping with
clause 10 of the Freedom Charter, South Africa’s role as peace
maker, and peace keeper was promoted by the local military whose
band led the walk at the beginning and again at the end. Colonel
Kobie, who was in charge of the Durban base, joined the walk with
several other officers. The Hon. Deputy Mayor Councilor Logie
Naidoo also walked all of the 22 km, and the Consul General of India
joined the walk for part of the way. In an emotionally charged
moment, after the walk, a shrine commemorating Gandhian ideals was
unveiled in the base and Gandhiji’s favourite hymns were sung by
members of the Defence Force.
This year, 2007,
Mr. Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Consul General of India, walked all of
the 22 km. There was a wonderful spirit among the walkers, which
included mothers pushing babies in prams, children walking
barefoot. Young and old showed an enthusiasm seldom seen. This has
now become an annual event, which is growing in stature.
In 2006, to mark
the Centenary of Satyagraha, a three-day conference was held. There
were 311 delegates from 107 organizations and from 14 countries.
The aim of the conference was:
The key points
emerging from the conference were:
Arising from the
above conclusions, it was felt that an organizational vehicle should
be created to drive these issues not just in South Africa but
internationally. As a result, the International Centre for
Nonviolence (ICON) has been set up at the Durban University of
Technology, and its key tasks are to develop curricula, both for
schools and secondary and tertiary education, incorporating
nonviolence, peace and gender issues, and organize training in
nonviolence focusing on conflict resolution at individual, group and
territorial levels. The Centre would also have an international
outreach programme of collaboration with other institutions doing
similar work.
For the purpose of
research, all the materials gathered by Satyagraha will be housed in
a Knowledge Centre, under the supervision of Satyagraha. This will
also be a repository for archival material of a historic nature.
It is clear from
all the efforts described above that the Spirit of Gandhiji and
others who walked in his footsteps lives on and will continue to
exert its influence on South African society and help create strong
ties between India and South Africa. Source: Anasakti Darshan Vol. 3, No. 2, July-December 2007 |