Welcome Indian crew

IT’S a great honour to welcome to our shores the first Indian all-women crew who are circumnavigating the globe on board the INSV Tarini.

I accompanied the Indian High Commissioner to South Africa, Ruchira Kamboj, and Indian Consul General for India in Cape Town, Abhishek Shukla, when the crew made their port of call at the V&A Waterfront this morning.

Lieutenant Commander Vartika Joshi and her crew are truly remarkable women.

These young women are not only an inspiration to women from India but to thousands of Capetonians and women across the world.

It shows that when women are given the opportunity, they can achieve anything they want with hard work.

In total the Indian crew will cover a distance of 21 600 nautical miles and do it without any engine for propulsion.

On their return to India they will cross the equator for the second time.

Less than two hundred years ago many women from India came to the Cape, but never crossed the Equator for a second time to return to India.

They were enslaved by the Dutch and English and brought to Cape Town’s shores to work hard labour.

It is this hurtful history that will always bind us as two nations through our shared heritage.

Today, it is encouraging to see young women being empowered, taking control of their own destiny and reaching out to Cape Town’s youth with workshops and exchanges.

It is only through partnerships that we will see both of our nations prosper.

Once again, welcome to Cape Town. On behalf of the people of our city, we wish you a safe journey.