Swaraj plants sapling in S Africa settlement where Gandhi developed philosophy of non-violence

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj today planted a sapling in the Phoenix settlement where Mahatma Gandhi had developed his philosophy of non-violence during his stay in South Africa.

Swaraj, who is on a five-day visit to South Africa, visited the Phoenix Settlement, a South African Heritage site in Durban and paid respect to the place.

She also interacted with students of the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Computer Education and Information Technology, a centre established by India here.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a tweet: "Where the seed of idea became ideology! EAM @SushmaSwaraj planted a sapling in the Phoenix settlement, home of Bapu during his stay in South Africa".

She planted the sapling of Cape Chestnut plant.

"With bright minds at the Phoenix settlement! EAM @SushmaSwaraj interacted with students of the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Computer Education and Information Technology, a centre established by the Government of India," Kumar said in another tweet.

"Where Bapu developed his philosophy of non-violence! EAM @SushmaSwaraj visited Phoenix Settlement, a South African Heritage site, paying respect to the place that served as Gandhiji's home," the Consulate General of India in Durban tweeted.

Gandhi spent 21 years in South Africa before returning to India in 1915.

Swaraj will attend a series of events marking the 125th anniversary of the historic incident where a young Mahatma Gandhi was thrown out of a train compartment in Pietermaritzburg railway station.

The 1893 incident proved to be a turning point in Gandhi's fight against racial discrimination in South Africa.