Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa, History, Contribution, Satyagraha

Mahatma Gandhi, a prominent leader in India’s struggle for independence, is widely recognized for his philosophy of nonviolent resistance, known as Satyagraha. Before his return to India in 1915, Gandhi spent a significant period in South Africa, where he developed and refined his ideas on social justice, civil rights, and nonviolent protest. This article explores Gandhi’s history in South Africa, his contributions, and the principles of Satyagraha that he championed during his time there.

Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa

Mahatma Gandhi arrived in South Africa in 1893 as a young lawyer and spent 21 years advocating for the rights of Indians facing racial discrimination. His experiences, including being ejected from a “whites-only” train compartment, sparked his commitment to fighting injustice through nonviolent resistance, known as Satyagraha.

Gandhi founded the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) in 1894 and published the newspaper Indian Opinion to raise awareness about the plight of Indians. His campaigns laid the groundwork for future civil rights movements and profoundly influenced India’s struggle for independence, establishing him as a leader in the fight against oppression.

Gandhi in South Africa History

• Arrival: Gandhi arrived in Durban, South Africa, in 1893 as a young lawyer on a one-year contract.
• Initial Experience: He was ejected from a first-class compartment on a train due to racial discrimination, which ignited his activism.
• Formation of NIC: In 1894, Gandhi founded the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) to advocate for the rights of Indians in South Africa.
• Publication of Indian Opinion: He established the newspaper Indian Opinion in 1903 to highlight issues facing the Indian community and promote social justice.
• Boer War Contribution: During the Boer War (1899-1902), Gandhi organized the Indian Ambulance Corps to assist the British, hoping to improve Indian status in South Africa.
• Phoenix Settlement: In 1904, he created the Phoenix Settlement near Durban, where he promoted his ideas of communal living and nonviolent resistance.
• First Satyagraha: Gandhi launched his first Satyagraha campaign in 1906 against the Transvaal Asiatic Ordinance, which imposed harsh regulations on Indians.
• Arrests and Imprisonment: He faced multiple arrests during his protests, including significant imprisonments in 1908 and 1909.
• Negotiations with British: Gandhi engaged in negotiations with the British government, notably with Jan Smuts, to address Indian grievances.
• Indian Relief Act: His efforts culminated in the Indian Relief Act of 1914, which addressed some of the concerns of the Indian community.
• Departure: Gandhi left South Africa in 1914 to return to India, having developed his philosophy of Satyagraha, which would later play a crucial role in India’s independence movement.

Mahatma Gandhi Contributions in South Africa

1. Advocacy for Indian Rights:
   • Gandhi’s primary focus was to address the injustices faced by Indians in South Africa, who were subjected to discrimination and harsh laws. His activism laid the groundwork for civil rights movements.
2. Founding of the Natal Indian Congress (NIC):
   • In 1894, he established the NIC, which served as a political platform to unite the Indian community and advocate for their rights. This organization became instrumental in mobilizing Indian voices against racial discrimination.
3. Publication of Indian Opinion:
   • Gandhi launched the newspaper Indian Opinion in 1903. The paper highlighted issues related to racial discrimination and the living conditions of Indians, while also serving as a tool for political activism and education.
4. Development of Satyagraha:
   • Gandhi formulated the concept of Satyagraha, a philosophy of nonviolent resistance, during his time in South Africa. This principle became a cornerstone of his later campaigns in India and influenced civil rights movements worldwide.
5. Formation of the Phoenix Settlement:
   • In 1904, he founded the Phoenix Settlement near Durban, where he encouraged communal living and self-sufficiency, promoting the values of nonviolence and social justice among his followers.
6. First Satyagraha Campaign:
   • In 1906, Gandhi initiated his first Satyagraha campaign against the Transvaal Asiatic Ordinance, which restricted Indian rights. This marked a significant turning point in his activism and showcased the power of peaceful protest.
7. Leadership During the Boer War:
   • Gandhi organized the Indian Ambulance Corps to assist the British during the Boer War (1899-1902), believing that this service would help improve the status of Indians in South Africa.
8. Negotiations with the Government:
   • He engaged in negotiations with British authorities, notably General Jan Smuts, advocating for the rights of Indians. His diplomatic efforts led to significant policy changes.
9. Impact on Indian Communities:
   • Gandhi’s work in South Africa fostered a sense of political consciousness among Indians, uniting diverse communities in their fight against oppression.
10. Legacy of Nonviolence:

• • The principles and strategies developed during his time in South Africa influenced not only the Indian independence movement but also global movements for civil rights, including those led by Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela.

National Indian Congress (NIC) in South Africa

Gandhi established the National Indian Congress (NIC) in South Africa in 1894, and it remained the main political force among Indians for the majority of the 20th century. It advocated prejudice against Indians. A constitution was drafted on August 22, 1894, and the NIC subsequently joined forces with the African National Congress (ANC), breaking the pattern of racially exclusive mobilisations.

The company has worked under the SAIC’s supervision since the 1920s (South African Indian Congress). However, the NIC underwent more radical guidance when Dr. G.M. Naicker entered the picture in the 1930s and 1940s. Dr. Naicker was chosen for the group’s leadership in 1945.

By the 1950s and 1960s, several NIC leaders were behind bars as a result of more aggressive demonstrations. Even though the NIC wasn’t outright forbidden, the persecution of its leaders and the oppressive atmosphere of the period made it necessary to put an end to its operations. The NIC wasn’t revived until 1971, with an emphasis on community service. The group played a crucial role in the United Democratic Front’s (UDF) creation in the middle of the 1980s.

Mahatma Gandhi and Indian Opinion Newspaper

In 1903, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, alongside M.H. Nazar and Madanjit Viyavaharik, established the weekly journal Indian Opinion in the Natal Province of South Africa. This publication played a crucial role in advocating for the rights of the Indian community and documenting their struggles. Below are key aspects of Indian Opinion and its significance:

• Establishment: Founded in 1903 by Gandhi, M.H. Nazar, and Madanjit Viyavaharik in Natal Province.
• Focus: Addressed racial discrimination, living conditions of indentured laborers, and Indian rights.
• Multilingual: Published in English, Hindi, Gujarati, and Tamil to reach a wider audience.
• Historical Record: Documented the social and political lives of Indians in South Africa.
• Printing Press: Established at the Phoenix Settlement in 1904, serving as the publication’s production hub.
• Political Advocacy: Used as a platform for Gandhi’s ideas, especially promoting Satyagraha (nonviolent resistance).
• Evolution of Focus: Shifted to broader human rights issues in the 1950s under Manilal Gandhi’s editorship.
• Renaming: Renamed Opinion after Manilal’s death in 1957 to symbolize unity and nationalism.
• Final Publication: The last issue published in August 1961; revived in October 2000, now distributed in Zulu and English.

Gandhi in South Africa UPSC

Satyagraha was born and evolved in South Africa before spreading to India and, eventually, the rest of the world. When Gandhi left the country at the age of 46, he left behind a way of thinking and acting that has found resonance in many of the country’s struggles, most notably Nelson Mandela’s. Even though Gandhi’s journey in South Africa began in Durban, it is in Johannesburg that he faces his most difficult challenges. Read all about Gandhi in South Africa in this article for UPSC Exam preparations.

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