South African Indians “happy”

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32978, 26 July 1972, Page 21

South African Indians “happy”

South African Indians were already the most highly advanced of all the non-white groups in South Africa, according to a letter received recently by Mr G. A. Walsh, member of Parliament for Tauranga, from the executive chairman of the South African Indian Council (Mr A. Rajab). Mr Walsh recently visited South Africa. In his letter, Mr Rajab said that since 1961, when Indians were accepted as a permanent part of the South African population, they had made notable progress in housing, education, and economic development, all with Government encouragement.

The transfer of localgovernment administration to Indians, which began some years ago and would be completed within the decade, would mean that Indians would be no different from

the white population in exercising their democratic right to vote for their own councils, Mr Rajab said. New Indian townships in the Indian group area were equal in quality to white

areas, and the homes of Indians were no different in finish and amenities from those of white groups of similar economic levels.

In the 10 years to 1971, the number of Indian-owned and Indian-run industrial undertakings had grown by more than 700 per cent, some employing capital in excess of R 5 million, and about 20 per cent of Indian workers are employed by Indians themselves, said Mr Rajab.

Free education was available to Indians up to matriculation, and compulsory education from the age of five to 15 years would be introduced next year. In the 10 years to 1971, expenditure on education increased by almost 1000 per cent to R 22 million, he said.

“The practical results are to be seen everywhere in happy families and communities,” said Mr Rajab. “Indians identify themselves with the forces of evolutionary change by non-

[violent means and are the strongest allies of the white people in this respect. “As to press reports highlighting Indian criticism and non-acceptance of Government policy, I dismiss such reports and attach no importance to them whatsoever. These emanate from the opposition press and overexaggerate the strength of the small number of disgruntled people to be found in all communities, and who belong to a group who will never be satisfied, even if they are in Heaven,” said Mr Rajab.