S.Africa President:Clear Between Hinduism&African Religions

[Guest guest]

Monday September 8 2003 17:13 IST

 

"Archaeological sources have suggested that Hinduism had been in

southern Africa for at least 400 years earlier. We can conclude from

this that there have always been mutual respect, exchanges, trade,

and communications between the peoples on both sides of the Indian

Ocean.Today, research and evidence show clear links between Hinduism

and indigenous African religions. And like Hinduism, the African

faiths have lived for thousands of years, in unbroken continuity.

We affirm that the essence of humanity as expressed by this religion

shows us to be one."

 

South African President lauds Hindus

 

IANS

 

DURBAN: President Thabo Mbeki has lauded the role of the local Hindu

community and the Hindu religion in the South African struggle for a

free country.

 

Mbeki was opening a two-day convention here on "Hindu Unity" at which

370 delegates from Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi linguistic and

community groups from across the country deliberated on issues

affecting Hindus.

 

"Given our divided history, religious organisations have an important

role to play in the reconstruction and development of our country,

especially in the welfare and civil society sectors. In this regard,

there are many lessons that we can and must learn from the Hindu

religion," Mbeki said.

 

"We know that the South African Hindu Maha Sabha, the national voice

of Hindus in our country, was formed in 1912. The wisdom and

foresight of its founders are discernible in the present membership

of the Maha Sabha and its affiliates across the country.

 

"This is the same year that the African people met to form the

African National Congress (ANC) to fight for our rights and for the

democracy that we are enjoying today."

 

Mbeki said that although the South African Hindu Maha Sabha initially

devoted much of its attention to the religious needs of Hindus, it

was inevitable that members of this faith had to unite with their

compatriots to fight for the common cause of freedom.

 

"Accordingly, we are happy that for many years the South African

Hindu Maha Sabha contributed to the national effort for the creation

of a society where all people are equal.

 

"We are indeed strengthened by the fact that members of the Hindu

community continue to work for the transformation of our country."

 

Mbeki also called for increased use of the age-old Hindu philosophy

of volunteerism to help alleviate poverty and bring about social

change in South Africa.

 

"You would know better than me that volunteerism has long been an

integral part of Hindu society, dating back to 1,500 BC when it was

mentioned in the Rig Vedas. Indeed, this tradition in India plays an

important role in social and economic development."

 

"We know that volunteer campaigns help in the fields of education,

medicine, cultural promotion and during times of crises such as

droughts, floods, epidemics and foreign invasions."

 

"Through these contributions, the disadvantaged and the poor are

taken care of by social mechanisms outside the state -- through the

family structure, social groups, guilds, and individual religious

philanthropy."

 

"Individual and religious philanthropy have always been interrelated.

One of the most important lessons of the Hindu religion is the

principle of hospitality and charity, which is part of an important

hallmark of Vedic culture."

 

"As we know, our country and people are engaged in the volunteer and

self-reliance campaigns... Today, we have a duty to unite the good

and noble teachings of volunteerism of the Hindu faith with the

campaigns our people are conducting.

 

"In this way, we will be able to attend to the many challenges facing

our society.

 

"Mahatma Ghandi's championship of the cause of (Dalits) teaches us

that we too must act in support of the poor and marginalized."

 

Mbeki challenged the traditional theory that the first Hindus arrived

in South Africa with the first shipload of indentured sugar cane

labourers in 1860.

 

"Archaeological sources have suggested that Hinduism had been in

southern Africa for at least 400 years earlier. We can conclude from

this that there have always been mutual respect, exchanges, trade,

and communications between the peoples on both sides of the Indian

Ocean."

 

"Today, research and evidence show clear links between Hinduism and

indigenous African religions. And like Hinduism, the African faiths

have lived for thousands of years, in unbroken continuity."

 

"We affirm that the essence of humanity as expressed by this religion

shows us to be one."

 

"The falsehoods peddled by colonial discourse that history on these

shores, like anywhere else in the world, dawned only with the arrival

of the colonisers has already been proved to be false."

 

Mbeki expressed confidence in the first Hindu convention marking a

new era for the community in South Africa.

 

"We are sure it will assist Hinduism to make an even greater

contribution towards the spiritual enrichment of our diverse society,

and the development of our nation."

 

"It will empower the Hindu community of our people to enhance its

contribution to peace in our country."