PM to relive Satyagraha in South Africa

In September 1906, Mahatma Gandhi began his Satyagraha from South Africa to oust British rulers from India.

Exactly hundred years later, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh travels to the country to relive those moments. The prime minister, who will commence his three-day official visit to Durban and the twin cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria on Saturday, will inaugurate the centenary celebrations of the 'Satyagraha' movement or 'passive resistance' that later became the roadmap for South African iconic leader Nelson Mandela's struggle against apartheid.

On October 1, the prime minister will participate in Mahatma Gandhi's Satyagraha centenary celebrations, which will be highlighted by speeches by Dr Singh and South African President Thabo Mbeki.

Noted Sarod Player Amjad Ali Khan will also give a performance on the occasion.

On October 2, Dr Singh will pay homage at the Resistance Park where South Africans put into practice Gandhian principles of passive resistance in the fight against apartheid. He will also visit the Phoenix Settlement, which was set up by Mahatma Gandhi in 1904.

Also on the prime minister's itinerary will be a visit to the Pietermaritzburg Railway Station where Mahatma Gandhi was thrown out of the 'whites only' compartment of a train on June seven, 1893. He will then inaugurate a photo exhibition at a prison in Johannesburg where Gandhi was incarcerated.

The same day, the two leaders will hold formal discussions on various bilateral, regional and international issues and on carrying the strategic relationship forward. The discussions between the two heads of government will be followed by delegation-level talks.

The South Africal President will also address the CEOs' Forum, which is headed by noted industrialist Ratan Tata, also an advisor to the South African President in his personal capacity.

The two countries will sign three agreements for cooperation in science and technology, railways and education, Shashi Tripathi, Secretary (West)

in the External Affairs Ministry said. Three more pacts are being negotiated but it is not clear whether they will be ready by then for signing. These include the Preferential Trade Agreement and the Bilateral Investment Promotion Agreement.

Sources said discussions between the two leaders, to be held at the Union Building in Pretoria, will also focus on consolidation of the outcome of the India-Brazil-South Africa and Non-Aligned Movement summits held recently in Brasilia and Havana respectively.

Opportunities that have been identified for closer bilateral co-operation and will form part of South Africa's trade development agenda in India include capital equipment, agro-processed products, autos and components, services, Information Technology, science and technology, health and Small Medium and Micro Enterprises.

Bilateral trade is $4 billion and there is a realisation that only a fraction of the potential is used given the kind of resources that South Africa has. The areas for investment are pharmaceuticals, infrastructure and telecommunications. Information Technology and Science and Technology are also now coming up.

South Africa is very keen to get India's skills and the problem of poverty and unemployment in that country can be removed by creation of skills and employment. There is also need to hasten development in South Africa and India can be a very important partner.

Recalling the visit of President A P J Abdul Kalam to South Africa in 2004, Tipathi said that the President had made a proposal about India sharing its IT expertise with Africa. He had also announced a proposal to bridge the digital divide between India and the African continent, and an agreement was signed with the 53-member African Union later.