Africa: Mauritius and Reunion

Substantive Indian migration to Mauritius and Reunion began after the abolition of slavery. While PIOs at over 220,000, constitute around 30% of Reunion's population, Mauritius is the only country where PIOs at over 700,000 constitute a majority - almost 70% of the population, which has enabled them to achieve political pre-eminence.

Substantive Indian migration to Mauritius and Reunion began after the abolition of slavery. While PIOs at over 220,000, constitute around 30% of Reunion's population, Mauritius is the only country where PIOs at over 700,000 constitute a majority - almost 70% of the population, which has enabled them to achieve political pre-eminence.

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After 1920, PIOs in Reunion were granted French citizenship and full civic and political rights and thus the anti-apartheid struggle as part of the UDF (United Democratic Front) there was increasing alienation between the Indian and African communities.

The long history of Indian philanthropy, both by individuals and by Indian organisations, in South Africa, was forgotten. It is generally believed that most of the PIOs voted for white dominated parties in the first non-racial elections in 1994 and also in the next general elections of 1999.

Indian South Africans are once more faced with a difficult situation. The challenge is to remove the misperceptions about the community and join the mainstream in nation-building