Asians in South Africa

Asians in South Africa constitute two per cent of South Africa's population, and most are of Indian origin, although there is also a small Chinese community. The "Cape Malays", who are descended -- at least in part -- from Asians were classified as "Coloured" (mixed race) under apartheid.

Indians

Most Asians in South Africa are descended from indentured Indian labourers who were brought by the British from India in the 19th century, mostly to work in what is now the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). The first batch came on board the Truro in 1860. The rest are descended from Indian traders who migrated to South Africa at around the same time, many from the Gujarat area. KZN's largest city, Durban, has the largest Asian population in sub-Saharan Africa, and the Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi worked as a lawyer in the city in the early 1900s.

Related Topics:
19th century - KwaZulu-Natal - Truro - Gujarat - Durban - Sub-Saharan Africa - Mahatma Gandhi

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Most are either Hindu or Muslim, and while a few still speak Indian languages like Telugu ,Tamil and Gujarati, which have constitutional protection, most younger Indians speak English exclusively, and use Afrikaans or Zulu as a second language.

Related Topics:
Hindu - Muslim - Indian languages - Telugu - Tamil - Gujarati - English - Afrikaans - Zulu

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Although Indian languages are seldom spoken or understood by younger Indians, English-subtitled Bollywood films and television programmes remain popular among South African Indians. These are broadcast both by the South African Broadcasting Corporation's SABC 1 television channel for a few hours each week, and by the DStv satellite television service, which carries Zee TV, B4U, NDTV and an Indian-language Sony channel, as well as South Indian channels, introduced in 2004. DVD and video versions of Bollywood films are widely available, and large movie theatre chains like Ster-Kinekor increasingly show Bollywood films.

Related Topics:
Subtitle - Bollywood - South African Broadcasting Corporation's - SABC 1 - DStv - Satellite television - Zee TV - B4U - NDTV - Sony - South India - 2004 - DVD - Video - Movie theatre - Ster-Kinekor

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) also has an Indian-oriented radio service called Lotus FM.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Discriminated against by Apartheid legislation like the Group Areas Act, Indians were forcibly moved into Indian townships, and had their movements restricted. They were not allowed to reside in the Orange Free State, and needed special permission to enter that province. They were also, as a matter of state policy, given an inferior education compared to white South Africans. The University of Durban-Westville (now part of the University of KwaZulu-Natal) was created for Indian students in the 1970s.

Related Topics:
Apartheid - Group Areas Act - Townships - Orange Free State - University of Durban-Westville - University of KwaZulu-Natal

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1983, the Constitution was reformed to allow the Coloured and Indian minorities a limited participation in separate and subordinate Houses of Parliament, a development which enjoyed limited support. The Indian house was called the House of Delegates. Some aspects of Indian life were regulated by this house, including education. The theory was that the Indian minority could be allowed limited rights, but the Black majority were to become citizens of independent homelands. These separate arrangements were removed by the negotiations which took place from 1990 to provide all South Africans with the vote.

Related Topics:
1983 - Coloured - House of Delegates

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Indians played an important role in the anti-apartheid struggle, and a few rose to positions of power after the 1994 elections in South Africa. After the end of apartheid, it seemed like many Indians, particularly the poor, had begun to support formerly white parties such as the Democratic Alliance and New National Party, as they felt threatened by the policies of the ruling African National Congress. This trend appeared to have been reversed in the 2004 elections, with most historically Indian areas voting for the ANC.

Related Topics:
1994 - Democratic Alliance - New National Party - African National Congress - 2004 elections

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Following the end of apartheid, a new wave of South Asian immigration commenced, with the new immigrants moving into Indian areas, where, presumably they will be less conspicuous to authorities, as many are illegal immigrants.

Related Topics:
South Asia - Illegal immigrant

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~