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164th Anniversary of the first Indentured workers
The story of indentured Indian labourers in South Africa is a complex and important chapter in the country’s history, particularly concerning the intersection of colonialism, migration, and labour exploitation. This movement of Indian workers, and their subsequent struggles, not only shaped South Africa’s demographic and economic landscape but also played a pivotal role in the development of its labour movements, including the fight for civil rights and social justice.
Background: The Indenture System
The indentured labour system was a form of coerced migration that was primarily used by colonial powers in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It emerged as a solution to the labour shortages in the colonies after the abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1833. In South Africa, the system began in the 1860s, when the British colonial government and the local white settler class sought a cheap and reliable source of labour to work in sugar plantations, railroads, and other industries, particularly in the colony of Natal.
The Arrival of Indian Labourers
In 1860, the first group of indentured Indian labourers was brought to South Africa, mainly from the Indian subcontinent, under contracts that bound them to work for a fixed period—usually five years—often under harsh and exploitative conditions. The vast majority of these workers came from the Indian provinces of Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, although there were also significant numbers from other regions, including Punjab and Kerala.
The labourers were promised wages, housing, and the opportunity to return to India after their contracts expired. However, the reality of their situation was far harsher than promised. They were subjected to:
- Long working hours in dangerous and unhealthy conditions.
- Low wages, often insufficient to meet basic living costs.
- Harsh living conditions, with poor housing, inadequate food, and lack of medical care.
- Racism and severe discrimination by their white employers and colonial authorities.
The system was designed to exploit the labourers for economic benefit while keeping them isolated from the rest of the population. At the time, the Indian workers were seen by the authorities as an expendable and subordinate workforce, a view that was deeply entrenched in the racial hierarchies of colonial society.
October 2
155th birth anniversary Mahatma Gandhi
This year marks his 155th birth anniversary. Gandhi Jayanti 2024: On October 2, each year, people across the country commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy of non-violence, truth, and social justice on his birth anniversary.This year, 2025, marks the 155th birth anniversary of Bapu.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was a key player in India’s struggle for independence from British rule. He was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat. He began his career in South Africa before studying law at University College London, where he campaigned against racial injustice. That is when his non-violent resistance concept known as Satyagraha began to take shape.
Gandhi’s non-violent resistance theory, Salt March and demand for non-cooperation with the British inspired millions of people to join the fight for independence without resorting to violence. The actions of Gandhi and his followers contributed to India’s independence on August 15, 1947. After Gandhi’s assassination in January 1948, the Indian government designated October 2 as Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday, to remember his life and legacy.Gandhi Jayanti is important because it emphasizes the importance of reality, non-violence and peace. Gandhi’s message still applies today as different types of conflicts arise and his teachings call for peaceful resolution of conflicts. Similarly, to emphasize its importance internationally, the day is also known as International Day of Non-Violence.
Celebrate Women – Month of August
On 9 August 1956, about 20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against legislation aimed at tightening the apartheid government’s control over the movement of black women in urban areas.
Nelson Mandela Day – July 18, 2024
Nelson Mandela has many accolades. He’s an iconic figure that triumphed over South Africa’s apartheid regime. He was a human rights lawyer, a prisoner of conscience, and an international peacemaker. And he was the first democratically elected president of a free South Africa.
Youth Day
The June 16 1976 Uprising that began in Soweto and spread countrywide profoundly changed the socio-political landscape in South Africa. Events that triggered the uprising can be traced back to policies of the Apartheid government that resulted in the introduction of the Bantu Education Act in 1953. The rise of the Black Consciousness Movement (BCM) and the formation of South African Students Organisation (SASO) raised the political consciousness of many students while others joined the wave of anti-Apartheid sentiment within the student community. When the language of Afrikaans alongside English was made compulsory as a medium of instruction in schools in 1974, black students began mobilizing themselves. On 16 June 1976 between 3000 and 10 000 students mobilized by the South African Students Movement’s Action Committee supported by the BCM marched peacefully to demonstrate and protest against the government’s directive. The march was meant to culminate at a rally in Orlando Stadium.
On their pathway they were met by heavily armed police who fired teargas and later live ammunition on demonstrating students. This resulted in a widespread revolt that turned into an uprising against the government. While the uprising began in Soweto, it spread across the country and carried on until the following year.
The aftermath of the events of June 16 1976 had dire consequences for the Apartheid government. Images of the police firing on peacefully demonstrating students led an international revulsion against South Africa as its brutality was exposed. Meanwhile, the weakened and exiled liberation movements received new recruits fleeing political persecution at home giving impetus to the struggle against Apartheid
Freedom Day
Freedom Day is celebrated annually on the 27th of April in honour of the auspicious day in 1994 when the first non-racial election was held in the country. South Africa celebrates Freedom Day to mark the liberation of our country and its people from 300 years of colonialism, White minority domination, politically enforced prejudice and Apartheid.
Apartheid was officially implemented in South Africa in 1948; however, colonialism and oppression of the African majority had plagued various countries throughout the African continent since as early as the 1600s.
Under the brutal Apartheid rule, indigenous people of colour in South Africa were denied the right to vote and hence did not have a say in the political governing and running of the country. During Apartheid, the majority of South Africans were excluded from any form of political power or influence.
Freedom Day honours those who fought for our country’s liberation, and the many men and women who suffered through incarceration, bannings and torture on behalf of the oppressed during Apartheid.
The First Democratic Election of 1994
This is the official photo of Mandela casting his vote in the 1994 elections. It was the first time Mandela had voted in his life. It was taken at Ohlange School, Inanda, Durban by the IEC’s official photographer, Paul Weinberg
On Wednesday, 27 April 1994, the nation cast its vote in the first democratic election. For the first time, all races in the country were allowed to vote for a government of their choice. Nineteen political parties participated in the non-racial election, and 19.7 million people across the country voted.
The African National Congress (ANC) won the election with 62.65% of the vote, and the party’s frontman, the revered Nelson Mandela became the first black president of the country on the 10th of May. Contrary to fears of political violence, the election took place in a festive and celebratory atmosphere.
Human Rights Day 2024
Human rights are rights that everyone should have simply because they are human. In 1948, the United Nations defined 30 articles of human rights in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It established universal human rights on the basis of humanity, freedom, justice, and peace.
Human Rights Day in South Africa is historically linked with 21 March 1960, and the events of Sharpeville. On that day 69 people died and 180 were wounded when police fired on a peaceful crowd that had gathered in protest against the Pass laws. This day marked an affirmation by ordinary people, rising in unison to proclaim their rights. It became an iconic date in our country’s history that today we commemorate as Human Rights Day as a reminder of our rights and the cost paid for our treasured human rights.
Apartheid policies
In 1948 the Nationalist Party came to power in South Africa and formalised segregation in a succession of laws that gave the government control over the movement of Black people in urban areas. The Native Laws Amendment Act of 1952 narrowed the definition of Blacks with permanent residence in towns and cities. Legally, no Black person could leave a rural area for an urban one without a permit from the local authorities, and on arrival in an urban area, the person had to obtain a permit within 72 hours to seek work. The Reference Book, or Pass, included a photograph, details of place of origin, employment record, tax payments, and encounters with the police.
In 1956 women from all walks of life, protested against the racist Pass laws, when 20,000 women marched to the Union Building in Pretoria, singing “wathint’ abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo – you strike a woman, you strike a rock”.
Anti-Pass law campaign
The Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) proposed an Anti-Pass campaign to begin on 21 March 1960. Black men gathered at Sharpeville without passes and presented themselves for arrest. The order was given to disperse, after which the Police opened fire on the crowd of men, women and children. Following the Sharpeville massacre, a number of black political movements were banned by the Nationalist government, but the resistance movement continued to operate underground.
Modern era
When South Africa held its first democratic election, with Nelson Mandela elected as its first democratic President, 21 March, Human Rights Day was officially proclaimed a public holiday.
On Human Rights Day, South Africans are asked to reflect on their rights, to protect their rights and the rights of all people from violation, irrespective of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, whether they are foreign national or not – human rights apply to everyone, equally.
We must remain vigilant and report abuse and cruelty, such as human trafficking, child labour, forced labour and violence against women, children, and the aged and other vulnerable groupings of people.
What are your rights?
- In terms of the Bill of Rights everyone has a right tolife, equality and human dignity.
- All persons have a right to citizenship and security. Persons and groups are entitled to freedom of assembly, association, belief and opinion, and expression. They have the right to demonstrate, picket and petition; everyone has the right to be free from forced labour, servitude and slavery.
- All persons have a right to privacy and to exercise political rights; all have a right to access to information and just administration action. They have rights when arrested, detained and accused, and must have access to courts.
- All have a right to freedom of movement and residence and of trade, occupation and profession. In the workplace everyone has a right to engage in trade unions and labour movements. Anyone has the right to purchase property anywhere, and to a basic education. They have a right to language and culture and communities; and not least, freedom of religion and belief. The Bill of Rights also specifies the rights of persons belonging to cultural, religious or linguistic communities and the rights of children. In addition, there are specific laws to safeguard women and protect children.
- Protected rights include a healthy environment; housing, health care, food, water and social security.
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