Research on SA Indians in Australia

A DURBAN woman is conducting research on South Africans of

Indian descent who had migrated to Australia and those who had chosen to return to South Africa.

Subashini Govender, a PHD sociology student at the University of Kwazulu-natal, said she was looking at the history of migration.

The focus of her study was to understand how South

African Indians adapt to life in Australia while maintaining ties with South Africa.

Her study also looks at their experiences living in an Australian society and their feelings about their identity and “home” now that they live in a new country.

Govender said since 2006, there had been an increase in migration of South African Indians to Australia.

“There has, however, been limited research and analysis.

Since there is no adequate research on the transnationality, identity construction, and notions of ‘home’ of South African Indians, this study aims to address these gaps in the scholarship,” she said.

“This research also investigates the return of South African Indians and the reasons for their return.”

Govender is interviewing South African Indians who had migrated to Australia as well as those who have opted to return.

She said when the indentured Indian labourers came to South Africa from India, there was no technology and some could not read and write.

“We now have technology that allows one to connect with people in any part of the world. That deepens the connection. Why is it important to retain the family connection?

“From the few interviews I have conducted thus far, people are still retaining that connection with family, community and with South Africa.

“While in Australia they are still partaking in South African Indian cuisine, like breyani and samoosas. While moving across they are also moving aspects of their culture. The respondents still love South Africa. They still practise certain traditions that is common to South African Indians,” she said.

Govender, who has had difficulty finding respondents because of the coronavirus, is still looking for people to participate in her study.