PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA, May 27, 2012 (allafrica.com): President Jacob Zuma has praised South African Hindus for their role in the struggle to free South Africa. “Many South Africans of Indian origin and specifically Hindus, played a prominent part in our struggle for freedom and are still playing a meaningful role in the social, economic and political reconstruction of this country,” Zuma said on Saturday.
Zuma, speaking in Durban at the centenary gala dinner of the Hindu cultural organization SA Maha Sabha, said this community was an integral part of South African society and added to the colorful rainbow nation that made us proud South Africans.
He was impressed and inspired by the strong values which guided the activities of the Hindu Maha Sabha, which include selfless service, volunteerism, accountability, respect, fairness, continuous improvement and unity.
The President also used the occasion to remind the nation of the need to preserve cultural organisations and respective cultures. “Let us encourage the Hindu youth for example to learn Indian languages so as to be in touch with their culture and traditions. That will not make them less South African. Instead, they will add to the rainbow mix and make this a more colorful country when it comes to languages as well,” said Zuma.
South Africans of Indian origin number about 1.28 million, 2.5% of the population, according to Statistics SA and over 60% are Hindus.