PIETERMARITZBURG, July 9 (ANA) – ?Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to South Africa came to an end on Saturday after he spent time in KwaZulu-Natal, where he visited a settlement establishment by Mahatma Gandhi, after taking the same fateful train trip India’s national icon undertook in 1893.
Modi boarded the train at Pentrich Station and travelled to Pietermaritzburg Station – the same trip Gandhi made in 1893 when he was thrown off the train because he was not white.
Watched by a horde of South African and Indian media, Modi laid a wreath at the station. A large crowd of people, several holding up banners, gathered outside the station to cheer the prime minister. Security was tight with a heavy police presence and security personnel from both South Africa and India keeping a close eye on proceedings. A police helicopter hovered above.
Later, at the Gandhi settlement in Phoenix, Durban, Modi met Ela Gandhi, the granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi. Modi endeared himself to African National Congress supporters by going up to them and greeting them as they sang songs at the edge
of the Gandhi settlement.
Afterwards, Modi spoke at a civic reception at the Durban City Hall, which was also attended by Zulu king Goodwill Zwelithini. Modi lauded the contribution Indians had made to South Africa, saying Durban was indicative of the country’s multiculturalism.
“No city celebrates this diversity more than the City of Durban,” he said.
Later on Saturday, Modi was expected to depart for Tanzania on the next leg of his first African visit. He was in Mozambique on Thursday, and after Tanzania he will head to Kenya.
– African News Agency (ANA)
