Celebrating 85 years of Ela Gandhi

At 85 yearsof age, Ela Gandhi, a peace activist, former social worker and parliamentarian reflects on her life which she has dedicated to activism and advocacy for social justice in South Africa. Gandhi, the granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, was recently chosen to be part of an eminent persons group to guide and champion the National Dialogue later this year.

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HAVING been at the helm in the fight for peace and social justice in South Africa, Ela Gandhi's journey serves as an enduring reminder of the power of personal commitment to social change and the profound impact of dedicated activism.

Childhood

Gandhi, who celebrated her 85th birthday yesterday (Tuesday), said her journey to becoming a peace activist, social worker and later a parliamentarian, started from humble beginnings.

She grew up in the Phoenix Settlement in Inanda, which was established by her grandfather, Mahatma Gandhi. He initially came to South Africa to work on a legal case for a merchant in 1893.

Ela Gandhi, the youngest of three children, was born on July 1, 1940.

She said her father, Manilal, uncle Harilal, and grandmother, Kasturba Gandhi, joined her grandfather in South Africa in 1897.

"My father was about 4 or 5 years old when they came to South Africa. His two other siblings were born here. However, my grandfather, who had a beautiful house in Beach Grove, returned to India a few years later. When he came back to South Africa, he set up his law practice in Johannesburg.

"However, they later moved to Durban and my grandfather started the newspaper, Indian Opinion. It was during this time that my grandfather became involved in politics and activism. When he first came here he was 24, and thought because he was a lawyer it was a high status symbol.

"Over time all that changed, and he began to realise there was no such thing as status. Everybody has dignity and we should ensure that we treat everyone with dignity, no matter what they do. He also began to look at equality among all people, particularly African people," she said.

Gandhi said in 1904 her grandfather bought the land in Inanda, known as the Phoenix Settlement. She lived there with her father; mother Sushila, and two elder siblings, Sita and Arun Manilal, who have since passed on.