The Natal Indian Congress, 1972, by F.M. Meer

Updated: 4 Jul 2018

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Summary

The opposition to the Government on the part of Indian South Africans since 1894 was spearheaded by the Natal Indian Congress (N.I.C.) and later by the South African Indian Congress. However this rich heritage of opposition was silenced

in the last decade leaving Indians very much a voiceless people. In its place was created the South African Indian Council with nominated members to speak for the Indian people. In this way the Government has attempted to make Indians

accept its policies through persuasion, compulsion and intimidation. In spite of these attempts the spirit of the Indian was not completely vanquished and in October 1971 the N.I.C. was formally revived at a convention held appropriately at

Phoenix, Natal. The tremendous significance of this revival is the fact that the N.I.C. has become the only surviving wing of a once powerful alliance dedicated to the creation of a United Democratic South Africa. All the activities of the N.I.C.

flow from its deep-rooted belief that humanity is one man and each man is mankind; what is valid for one is valid for all.

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01The Natal Indian Congress, 1972, by F.M. Meer

Last updated · 4 Jul 2018

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2018, July 4). The Natal Indian Congress, 1972, by F.M. Meer. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/xh/ref/R-0125145

South African History Online (2018) 'The Natal Indian Congress, 1972, by F.M. Meer', South African History Online, 4 July. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/xh/ref/R-0125145 (Accessed: 22 July 2026).

South African History Online, The Natal Indian Congress, 1972, by F.M. Meer [website], https://sahistory.org.za/xh/ref/R-0125145, (accessed 22 July 2026).

"The Natal Indian Congress, 1972, by F.M. Meer." South African History Online, 4 July 2018, https://sahistory.org.za/xh/ref/R-0125145. Accessed 22 July 2026.

South African History Online. "The Natal Indian Congress, 1972, by F.M. Meer." South African History Online. July 4, 2018. https://sahistory.org.za/xh/ref/R-0125145.