Deputy Speaker, as we gather today to celebrate the arrival of Indians in South Africa 150 years ago, allow me to pay tribute to the contributions made by the Indian community to all forms of our nation's development. On this day 150 years ago, Indians arrived on the shores of Durban in various ships. They were brought here for the sole purpose of working as slaves on the sugar cane fields of KwaZulu-Natal.
I doubt that their colonial masters had any idea that within a short space of time the very slaves they had imported would become wise and successful business people. Less than three decades later, many Indians ventured out from being cane cutters to being cane growers. Soon, several Indian slaves were successful entrepreneurs in their neighbourhoods. Many of the slaves had the option of returning to their motherland, but instead they remained behind and joined the fight against oppression with their fellow South Africans.
We are especially proud of the role that Indians played in the freedom of our nation. Under the guidance of Mahatma Gandhi, through peaceful protest, they helped change the face of our nation through nonviolent demonstrations.
From the early 1900s onwards the Indian community recognised the evils of apartheid rule and the impact that the inequality was having on their fellow African brothers. It is for this reason that they stood side by side with them in the fight against racial oppression and inequality.
The formation of the Indian Congress was a turning point in this struggle, as the fight against the apartheid regime gathered more support from the international community. But, whilst this formation was Indian in identity, they remain to this very day proudly South African.
On behalf of the ID, I wish to congratulate all Indians in South Africa on the role they played in transforming our country, and the ongoing contribution they make to the development of our nation. I thank you. [Applause.]