The International Convention Centre (ICC), Durban, South Africa, hosted the Pravasi Bhartiya Divas (PBD) Africa from October 1-2, 2010.  On October 1st, 2010, Shri Vayalar Ravi, the Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, officially opened the event. On October 2, 2010, the South African President, Mr. Jacob Zuma, attended the closing session. The conference’s focus was “Building Bridges: India-Africa.”

This was the fourth regional PBD convention that the Indian government had hosted outside of the country. The first such event took place in New York on September 24th, 2007; the second in Singapore on October 10–11, 2008; and the third in The Hague on September 19th, 2009. PBD Africa commemorated Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary as well as the 150th anniversary of Indian immigration to South Africa.

The government of India hosts the PBD Conventions to interact with the global community of Indians living abroad and forge relationships with both groups and their host nations. The Indian diaspora in Africa was the main topic of discussion at the Durban Convention, with a special emphasis on South Africa, which has over 1.2 million people of Indian descent living there.

More than 400 delegates from Africa attended the two-day convention. The government of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal co-hosted it.

On October 1st, 2010, Shri Vayalar Ravi hosted a formal inauguration and dinner to kick off the Convention. Ms. Lulama Xingwana, the South African Minister of Arts and Culture, Dr. Z. L. Mkhize, the Premier of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal, Members of the National Assembly of South Africa, Members of Parliament from KwaZulu-Natal, Mayors, and other dignitaries were present at the inaugural dinner.

On October 1st, there were two pre-conference activities: a business roundtable and an academic seminar on diaspora.

Over 100 eminent business leaders and professionals from Africa and India attended the Business Roundtable on “Opportunity Africa” at the ICC Durban.  The meeting focused on four key industries: IT, skill development, and education; pharmaceuticals; mining and minerals; and infrastructure. The possibility of improving economic and trade relations between India and Africa, particularly South Africa, was also discussed. On October 2, during the business plenary session, the Business Roundtable’s recommendations were presented. 

At the Durban University of Technology, a seminar titled “Diaspora: Heritage in the Context of Globalization” took place. Leading academics from Africa and India attended the event. On October 2, the seminar’s recommendations were presented to the plenary session on the diaspora.

The business opportunity presented by Mahatma Gandhi in the twenty-first century The topics of the five plenary sessions held on October 2nd included Africa, youth, and gender: the knowledge economy and social development, diaspora: heritage in the context of globalization, and a closing session.

Ela Gandhi, Justice Moosa Ebrahim, a former Chief Justice of Zimbabwe’s Supreme Court, and Mr. Ahmed Kathrada, a renowned freedom fighter and anti-apartheid activist from South Africa, all spoke at the opening session on the “Relevance of Mahatma Gandhi in the 21st century.” Shri Vayalar Ravi, the minister of Overseas Indian Affairs, moderated the discussion. All speakers emphasized the importance of Mahatma Gandhi in light of his values of nonviolence, non-cooperation, and truth-based resistance in addressing global issues. Shri Vayalar Ravi urged the Indian diaspora in Africa to serve as a cultural link that carried Mahatma Gandhi’s message to their native African nations.

Mr. Pravin Jamnadas Gordhan, South Africa’s Minister of Finance, spoke at the second session on “Business: Opportunity Africa.” He understood the growing significance of Africa and India in the new global economic system. The panelists talked about the numerous business opportunities between India and Africa, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses.

The knowledge economy and social development were the main topics of the third “Youth and Gender” session. In her keynote address, Ms. D. Purandeshwari, Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Government of India, emphasized India’s achievements as a multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic democracy as well as its significant advancements in education, skill development, and women’s emancipation.  She urged young Indians living abroad to contribute to the development of Africa and India in order to create a better future.

The topic of the fourth Diaspora session, “Heritage in the Context of Globalization,” called for increased collaboration in research and studies of the diasporas of both India and Africa around the world. The already strong relationship between India and Africa will expand to include this as a new area of cooperation.

Shri Vayalar Ravi urged the attendees to go to the ninth PBD Convention, which will be held in India from January 7–9, 2011, in New Delhi. On January 8, 2010, the Indian Prime Minister will officially launch this event. On January 9, 2010, a select group of Indians living abroad will receive the Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Awards from the Indian President.