CEO Lisa Singh visited Ela Gandhi, a peace activist, politician and granddaughter to Mahatma Gandhi, at the Phoenix Settlement in Durban on visit to South Africa to build the trilateral relationship between Australia, South Africa and India.
During the visit, Ela shared with Lisa the house she grew up in at the Phoenix Settlement and the exhibitions that showcase the story of Mahatma Gandhi’s political activism in South Africa, his legacy of peace and nonviolence on other global movements for freedom.
Ela Gandhi has devoted her life to carrying forward the legacy of her grandfather, and his values of truth and non-violence. She fought tirelessly to end apartheid and achieve social justice in South Africa; an experience she shares in a special episode of the Institute’s podcast, Chats Over Chai.
In the podcast, Lisa and Ela Gandhi discuss the significance of the Pheonix Settlement in Mahatma Gandhi’s transformation as an individual, his way of thinking and lifestyle. They touch on her upbringing with parents who actively fought against discrimination. Her early involvement into political activism, the experience of her father being jailed during apartheid and her continued efforts to fight discrimination despite her own political bans all arise in this powerful episode.
Ela sheds light on her involvement with the United Democratic Front and Natal Organisation for Women and her experiences visiting Nelson Mandela in prison.
Ela spoke of being inspired by women leaders including her grandmother Kasturba Gandhi and how she continues to work to inspire and educate other women through her work at the Natal Organization for Women.
