PIO Connect Event Highlights India-South Africa Ties

In Johannesburg on August 26, PTI reported that more than a dozen South African leaders from various sectors shared their insights and identified potential areas for increased collaboration with India at the first PIO (Persons of Indian Origin) Connect event, organized by the Indian High Commission in Pretoria.

High Commissioner Prabhat Kumar stated that the event, held on Monday, celebrated the Indian community's contributions to shaping the new South Africa and added that similar gatherings are planned for other cities across the nation.

Initially, two South African awardees of the esteemed Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Award—veteran activist Prema Naidoo and community leader Mohan Hira—were recognized. This award, India's highest honor for overseas Indians, is given biennially on January 9, marking the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's return to India from South Africa.

The gathering featured panel discussions covering a broad spectrum of topics, including health, business, cinema, sports, and Gandhi's legacy. In his keynote speech, Poobalan ‘Les’ Govender, Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (the upper house of the South African Parliament), emphasized the significant role of the Indian community in national governance.

Govender noted that despite their minority status, South Africans of Indian descent have attained influential positions, highlighting himself as the first person of Indian origin in the Council. He also mentioned Narend Singh, Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, and Ashor Sarupen, one of the two Deputy Ministers of Finance in the Government of National Unity formed in July under President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Govender underscored the essential role of the Indian community in South Africa's history and advocated for strengthening the longstanding India-South Africa bond. He also called for focusing on innovation and supporting young people, many of whom proudly identify as South Africans of Indian descent and see themselves as custodians of a rich legacy.

Additionally, Govender urged New Delhi to simplify processes for South Africans of Indian origin applying for OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) cards, particularly concerning ancestral birth record documentation.

Dr. Anban Pillay, Deputy Director General of the Department of Health, remarked that India-South Africa cooperation was more effective during the IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa) grouping compared to the current BRICS framework. He praised India for providing vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that Western countries were accumulating supplies at the time.

David Gengan, Chairperson of the Pietermaritzburg Gandhi Foundation, reflected on Gandhi's influence on figures such as Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr., highlighting Gandhi's ability to transcend religious and linguistic differences. He noted the absence of religious strife in South Africa and credited Gandhi for setting a harmonious precedent.

Other speakers addressed both opportunities and challenges in bilateral relations. Amith Singh from Nedbank emphasized the need to expand cooperation beyond IT, while Dabur South Africa's head, Kavim Ragbir, pointed out that high wage costs made local manufacturing less competitive compared to India. Professional cricketer Rasika Maharaj highlighted challenges faced by Indian-origin women athletes due to Cricket South Africa's race quota system, and golfer Dylan Naidoo expressed pride in becoming the first player of Indian origin to win the South African Open Championship.

(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)