Sastri College (Durban) and Bluebells International School (New Delhi) sealed the deal with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two schools in India on Wednesday. 

High Commissioner of South Africa to India, Professor Anil Sooklal, Trade, Industry, and Competition Minister Parks Tau, and Presidency Deputy Minister Kenny Morolong witnessed the historic signing.

“We used the opportunity of their presence for them to witness the signing of the MoU between Sastri College and Bluebells School,” Sooklal said. 

“We had both the minister and deputy minister very pleased that we are doing this twinning arrangement. They both said it was a very historic moment for both countries because it’s the first such MoU that we have between schools from both countries, and they were highly impressed. We had our high-level political principals witnessing it.” 

Sooklal said that also attending was Sastri College principal Santosh Rajkoomar and a board member. From Bluebells School, it was the principal, board director and several other board members. 

He said the Sastri family lives in Tamil Nadu, another state in South India, and could not attend. 

“They sent messages of goodwill and are very excited about the twinning. I managed to speak to the family. They are excited about re-establishing ties with the school, and this twinning also fits in with the vision of Srinivasa Sastri that it was not just about the school, it’s about enduring relationships,” Sooklal said. 

Sooklal said he thinks he delivered what he was asked for. 

“More emotionally, I think Srinivasa Sastri did so much in terms of education for the Indians, and that institution today is a democratic institution where all races of South Africa are being educated. Under apartheid, of course, it was built specifically under colonial rule for Indians because it was the first high school that was provided for Indians, built with money that he raised from the community,” Sooklal said. 

“I think Bluebells School has such a history with South Africa because it’s one of two schools in Delhi that helped to sustain the children of the leaders that were in exile in India, the ANC’s representational office here, and the other members of the South African community that were exiled in India. Their children went to the school, and they were embraced by the school, raised funds for South Africa, and raised the profile of our struggle at a school level. That was what was so impressive.” 

The high commissioner said they continue to have a special bond with South Africa because annually they celebrate our Freedom Day, and they celebrate International Mandela Day greatly, like they did this year, where he was the chief guest.

“There’s a special bond between Bluebells and South Africa. As there is a special bond between Sastri College and India,” Sooklal said. 

“They’re natural partners in this twinning process, and both schools are going to benefit because I always maintain, if you want to strengthen relations between a country, it’s not just at the government level, the main architects underpinning the strength of any relationship are the people, it’s the people-to-people interaction.”

Sooklal explained that linking the students through the school training program, from a young age, they will get to appreciate each other, share experiences, share knowledge, share curriculum development programmes, have student exchanges, have teacher exchanges, and build up friendships from a very early level in appreciating each other, and they become our most powerful diplomats as they graduate and enter society in their respective professions, careers and life.

“I think starting this kind of twinning at school level is what we should give much attention to. We’re fortunate that we have two schools that have a history that links our country in such a strong relationship,” Sooklal added.

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za 

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