A group of Indian-origin South African nationals who attended the Republic Day parade here on Saturday were moved by the Railways’ tableau on the theme of the transformation of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi into Mahatma.

Yashika Singh from the KwaZulu-Natal Province said the Pietermaritzburg train incident depicted in the tableau “Mohan to Mahatma” touched many emotional chords. A steam-engine train was depicted with the first carriage signifying the 1893 incident at Pietermaritzburg, when Gandhi, a young barrister, was thrown off it in a racist outrage.

Connection with India

“I am a fourth-generation South African of Indian-origin, and I love my country, but we feel a sense of deep connection with India too. And, Gandhi and Mandela provide strong links. So, this tableau really moved us,” she said.

Ms. Singh, who lives in Estcourt and works in the media sector, said a group of Indian-origin journalists had come from different parts of South Africa to cover President Cyril Ramaphosa’s state visit.

Asked if they were travelling with the President, Johannesburg-based Fakir Hassen said, “No, this has been done separately.”

Durban-based Salma Patel, who works for a radio channel, echoed Ms. Singh’s sentiments.

“South Africa is our home. But we feel a connection with India. And, we are very delighted to participate in the Republic Day of India,” she said.