As well as the deep historical and political ties between the two countries, the love of cricket, rich heritage, and warm, hospitable culture and cuisine bind them even closer.
As we enter the new year, South Africa is completing 30 momentous years of the bilateral relationship with India. Their friendship and camaraderie date back more than a century. The two countries share deep historical ties – both countries’ independence struggles are deeply entwined. Both countries have been close allies and pillars of support in driving mutual growth. South Africa initiated Gandhi’s journey to becoming a Mahatma, a turning point that influenced world history.
Learn how 30 years of India-South Africa relations have shaped today’s world
Read on to find out how the two countries share deep historical and political ties and a mutual love of cricket, rich heritage, and hospitable culture and cuisine.
Cricket-crazy countries
The cricketing roots of India and South Africa date back to the 1990s. Both countries have great relationships both on and off the cricket field. After apartheid, India invited the South African cricket team for its first international series after decades of boycott.
India reciprocated this goodwill gesture during 1992-93 when it became the first country to play a Test series in South Africa. There are many cricket grounds in South Africa, including Kingsmead Cricket Stadium, Sahara Oval, St. George’s Park, and Buffalo Park. Yuvraj Singh’s six consecutive sixers during the 2007 T20 World Cup is also a famous record at Kingsmead.
Bunny Chow Love
A trip to the Rainbow Nation would not be complete without trying the famous Bunny Chow, South Africa’s lip-smacking street food with Indian origins. It is a hollowed-out white bread filled with mutton or vegetable curry.
This dish is rare in India but extremely popular in the Rainbow Nation, where it is sold everywhere, from luxury casinos to tiny eateries. Indian migrant workers carried their lunch to sugarcane fields during the 19th century, when both countries were British colonies. The famous bunny chow was created by filling hollowed-out bread with vegetable curry. It is believed that the Indian Bania community primarily sold the bunny. Chow is a slang word for food in the local dialect.
Other than Bunny Chow, there are a few other Indian dishes that are popular with the natives, such as samosas, vindaloo, chutneys, meat tikkas, and chutneys.
Connections with Durban’s cultural heritage
South Africa’s third-largest city, Durban, shares a close relationship with India. You feel at home in Durban’s lively culture, which is as much Indian as South African. Durban is home to one of the largest Indian communities outside of India.
A third of the people who live in Durban are of Indian origin. They possess rich cultural practices, unique fusion cuisines, and sacred traditions.
There are flavourful spices and curries, traditional clothing, music, and dance in every nook and corner of Durban. In Durban, you will have the opportunity to witness a beautiful blend of cultures that celebrates cultural harmony.
Shared Quest for Freedom
Both India and South Africa have remarkable freedom stories. Talking about one country’s independence struggle is complete with mentioning the other. Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela are two of the world’s greatest revolutionaries.
In Johannesburg, the Constitutional Hill, primarily a prison, held leaders of both nations. Among the passive resistors and freedom fighters held here were Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. Both of these revolutionaries are featured in two permanent exhibitions at this site.
When reading about the horrific conditions of the prison at the time and the disparity in treatment between different races, the walkthrough Number Four section underscores Mandela’s call for radical reform and equality. South Africa’s constitutional court is located on Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, a fascinating museum.
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