Hon Deputy Speaker and hon members, the UDM joins the rest of the House in paying tribute to the Indian people who arrived on our shores 150 years ago.
Since the arrival of those first indentured labourers, they have left an indelible mark on the shape of our history. There can be no denying that people of Indian origin have been inextricably linked to the growth of our country. They have witnessed and experienced the years of colonial rule and the subsequent rise and fall of apartheid.
In that time their identity was reduced to a question of race without regard to the richness of diversity among themselves. During those decades, being an Indian meant being nonwhite and nonblack. This arbitrary and immoral racial classification was the cause of endless suffering and injustice. The former regime also mastered the art of divide and rule and sought to inflame racial animosity between Indian people and people from other racial and cultural groups.
Happily, those days are now behind us. Indian people played a very significant role in bringing about democracy. For instance, one of India's greatest statesmen, Mahatma Gandhi, spent time in South Africa and experienced our oppression at first hand.
Today, we can proudly celebrate the far-reaching role that the descendants of those first indentured labourers have played, not only in politics, but also in sport, culture, medicine, arts and industry. They have been active contributors to the South African nation. We salute their contribution. Without them our rainbow nation would be distinctly less bright and colourful. Thank you, hon Deputy Speaker.