South Africa's Economy
South Africa and India
How Gandhi's years in South Africa, a large Indian-origin community, BRICS and trade link the two countries economically and historically.
South Africa and India have deep ties.
Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi lived in South Africa from 1893 to 1914, developing satyagraha while fighting discrimination against Indians.
Indian community
- South Africa has one of the largest Indian-origin populations outside Asia, around 1.5 million, many descended from indentured labourers who came to Natal from 1860.
- Durban has a large Indian community.
Anti-apartheid support
India supported the anti-apartheid struggle and imposed early sanctions.
Trade and investment
- India imports South African coal, gold and phosphoric acid.
- South Africa imports Indian petroleum products, cars, medicines and rice.
- Indian firms like Tata, Mahindra and Cipla operate in South Africa.
Partnerships
- IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) since 2003.
- BRICS, which South Africa joined in 2010.
- South Africa hosted the G20 in 2025, the first in Africa, following India (2023) and Brazil (2024).
The Durban connection
A Durban family traces its roots to indentured workers from Tamil Nadu in the 1860s, and today runs a business importing Indian textiles.
Thinking India-South Africa ties are only diplomatic
They include history, a large diaspora, trade and investment.
Key takeaways
- Gandhi lived in South Africa from 1893 to 1914.
- About 1.5 million people of Indian origin live there.
- Trade includes coal, gold, cars and medicines.
- South Africa hosted the G20 in 2025.
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