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Waves of Indian immigration starting in 1860: How did they change the face of South Africa?
Indo-South Africans refer to those indentured laborers and free immigrants who arrived in South Africa from British India in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Their arrival not only promoted South Africa's economy, but also profoundly affected the local cultural pattern. Take Durban as an example. This city is home to the largest Indian ethnic group in South Africa, making Durban one of the cities with the largest Indian ethnic population in Africa in the world.
Due to the impact of apartheid policies, Indian-American South Africans are considered a separate racial group in South Africa.
The formation of racial identity
During the colonial period, both Indians and blacks were given a lower status in South African society. During apartheid from 1948 to 1994, Indian South Africans were legally divided into separate racial groups. This identity reflects oppression and resistance in part. During this period of history, many politically conscious Indian South Africans began to emphasize their cultural roots and gradually branded themselves as "South Africans" or "South African Indians".
During the most intense periods of apartheid and segregation, the group identities of "Indian," "mixed race," and "Malay" controlled many aspects of daily life.
Immigration History: Indentured Laborers and Passenger Immigration
The modern Indian community in South Africa was formed mainly from Indian immigrants who arrived after 1860. An initial 342 Indians sailed from Madras on the Truro, and more laborers were later brought to work on the sugar cane plantations in Natal. In total, about 200,000 Indians became indentured laborers, and the number continued to grow in the following decades.
Most of these Indian workers are Hindus, with a small number of Muslims and Christians among them.
Indentured workers experienced harsh working conditions and unequal treatment, but their contribution to the South African economy cannot be ignored. As time went by, these early Indian immigrants slowly settled and began to carry out their own business activities, forming today's Indian business community.
Early Discrimination: 1860–1910
Indians face varying degrees of discrimination in South Africa. In Natal, they are forced to hold passes and are subject to various restrictions. In 1893, after Gandhi arrived in South Africa due to a legal dispute, he experienced racial discrimination first-hand. He then launched a resistance movement and organized the Natal Indian Congress, which became an important force in the resistance movement.
Challenges of apartheid
From 1948 to 1994, the situation of Indian South Africans was particularly difficult. They were subject to racial regulations, often forcibly relocated, and lived in specific Indian communities. In 1949, riots against Indians broke out in Durban, killing 142 people and destroying various amounts of property.
All this shows that under the apartheid system, the survival of Indian communities is constantly challenged and their identity becomes more complicated.
The post-apartheid era
With the end of apartheid, many Indians played important roles in the anti-apartheid movement and held important positions in the new government. Today's Indian South Africans still have considerable political and economic influence, but they still have to face identity challenges, especially the pressure from new immigrants.
The inheritance of culture and language
The food culture of South African Indians is rich and diverse. South African curry, roti and sweet desserts have become common delicacies for people of all ethnic groups in the country. In terms of media and entertainment, Indian films are hugely popular in South Africa and the broadcasting and airing of Indian language content keeps the culture alive.
Despite the challenges of language and cultural identity, the Indian community in South Africa still actively maintains its unique identity.
After more than a hundred years of development, the Indian community in South Africa today still faces many challenges and changes. How do they redefine their identity and find their place in today's society?
