Building hope and harmony in 2018
INDIA and South Africa share a very special relationship which is over 200 years old.
India’s links with the struggle for freedom and justice in South Africa date back to when Mahatma Gandhi conceptualised his politics and started his non-violent struggle, “Satyagraha” (loyalty to the truth), which made South Africa his “Karma bhumi” or his land of work.
It was South Africa that transformed the young lawyer Mohandas Gandhi into “Mahatma Gandhi”. Rightly, therefore, in speaking of Mahatma Gandhi, Mandela had said: “The soul of India lies in South Africa.”
India was at the forefront of the international community in its support for the Anti-Apartheid Movement.
It was the first country to sever trade relations with the apartheid government in 1946 and subsequently imposed a complete diplomatic, commercial, cultural and sports embargo on South Africa, while working consistently to put the issue on the agenda of the United Nations and other multilateral organisations.
India was also the first country to embrace South Africa after apartheid and hosted the South African cricket team after the regime was lifted in July 1991. Our common cultural, religious, colonial and spiritual heritage ensured that we remained close and connected.
India’s relations with South Africa were restored in May 1993, while formal diplomatic relations began in November 1993.
There has been a steady consolidation of our close and friendly ties, both bilaterally and through the Ibsa (India, Brazil, South Africa) and Brics forums.
Both countries have signed multiple agreements in diverse areas, ranging from economic and commercial co-operation to defence, culture, health, public administration, human settlements, science and technology, and education.
India’s Technical and Economic Co-operation Programme has been a particularly useful medium in promoting vital people-to-people contacts between our two countries.
The Indian diaspora in South Africa, one of our largest overseas communities, are the proud sons and daughters of India in this beautiful country, which is now their home and to which they so richly contribute. We fondly remember comrades Ahmed Kathrada, Laloo Chiba, Mac Maharaj, Billy Nair, Prema Naidoo and others, who were such torchbearers. The social impact of the Indians who have established their homes and businesses in South Africa is significant.
This year is a special year in India-South Africa relations. It is the 20th year of the signing of the “Red Fort Declaration” heralding a strategic partnership between the two countries, the 25th year of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations, the 125th anniversary of the Pietermaritzburg “incident”, and importantly, the centenary of Madiba’s birth.
Last year was the 100th birth anniversary of ANC stalwart OR Tambo. We are delighted that in 2018, India and South Africa will jointly release commemorative stamps honouring both OR Tambo and Madiba, both of whom occupy a special place in Indian hearts.
The state visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July 2016 was a landmark visit which set a new target to double bilateral trade in the next five years. Former presidents of South Africa have also regularly visited India, which has ensured continued engagement between the two countries.
There are more than 150 Indian companies in South Africa which have had immeasurable positive impact on the country, yet they remain under the radar, sometimes unheard of in mainstream discussions. Collective investment, creation of local South African employment, training and development, corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities of Indian companies, etc, remain formally unmapped but are hugely significant.
Indian companies, which include well-known names such as Tata, Mahindra, Wipro, Vedanta, Jindal Steels, Cipla, Ranbaxy and the State Bank of India, have invested about $8 billion (R94bn) to $9m into South Africa, operated large-scale businesses, employed tens of thousands of South Africans and contributed to the economic growth of South Africa.
These CSR activities include IT training, sports development, donation of maths and science labs and IT labs, internships, environmental programmes, road safety campaigns, educational upliftment, food drives, HIV/Aids programmes, mobile clinics, graduate recruitment programmes and career support.
It is heartening to note that as interest in upscaling the education system of South Africa grows, the majority of the CSR programmes of the Indian companies are focused on education, development and empowering projects. These are the “truths that remain untold”.
Although a strong political and economic relationship is enjoyed between the two countries, it is this quiet diligence, ambition, support, hard work, determination, innovation and creativity of the Indian investors and diaspora in South Africa that should be celebrated.
In speaking of India, Prime Minister Modi had said: “India’s success story can be defined by the word “Hope”: H-harmony, O-optimism, P-potential and E-energy.”
With its growing resilience and innovative economy, India can be a partner with South Africa to not only train skilled manpower, but to bring innovation to South Africa.
India, like South Africa, is a young nation. We are working to skill youth and will be delighted to partner with South Africa in this endeavour.
To this end, it is the intent of India to open a Skills Training Institute this year in South Africa to upgrade local skills, leading to an enhanced self-sustenance and independence in South Africa. Going forward, we greatly look forward to collaborate with South Africa on this exciting project.
India, with its $2.4 trillion (2017) economy, is working to achieve over 8% growth in the coming years, and endeavours to create 500 million new jobs by 2022 and transform rural and urban areas through infrastructure development.
India’s rise is a story of “rare resilience, renewed resurgence, superb speed and spectral skills” for which the policy framework strengthening India’s trade, manufacturing, innovation and investment partnerships is being readied.
Our trade with South Africa touched $9.5 billion in 2016-17, with huge potential existing in transport, pharmaceuticals, textiles, engineering goods, minerals, chemicals, gems and jewellery.
Several South African investors, such as Sanlam, Momentum, ACSA, SAB Miller, Adcock Ingram and Rand Merchant Bank have established their presence in India.
We propose to accelerate the momentum through an India-South Africa Business Summit, the first of its kind, scheduled to be held in Sandton, Johannesburg, on April 29 and 30.
India and South Africa face similar challenges in their respective journeys to rid their countries of poverty and hunger through the empowerment of their people. Ours is a relationship that speaks of enthusiasm, development, promise, integrity and mutual support.
Above all, it is an alliance of trust and co-operation. Let us work together in 2018 to realise the full potential of this relationship. Viva India! Viva South Africa!
Kamboj is High Commissioner of India to South Africa