Black Act

In August 1906 an ordinance- Black Act – was issued by the Transvaal Government requiring all Indians – men, women and children –to register themselves and obtain a personal certificate bearing name and thumb impression. This card was to be carried by all individuals at all times and had to be shown on demand. Anyone failing to produce the certificate was liable to be fined, imprisoned, or deported. The police even had orders to enter private houses and check certificates.

“This is too much to bear,” Gandhi told his co-workers. “If we meekly submit, it will spell absolute ruin for us in South Africa. We must take action immediately if we are to live here.”

The Indians decided not to submit to this humiliating and insulting measure. They must fight it. But, how?

Gandhi saw here the need for passive resistance or Satyagraha. He explained to the people his concept of Satyagraha. First, he said, they must be prepared to observe absolute non-violence. The authorities would take all measures to put down the agitation. They might use violence, arrest people and send them to jail, but all this must be faced without resistance.

Gandhi decided to stay in Transvaal

Gandhi kept his promise. He reached Natal in time to lead the Indian deputation, but Joseph Chamberlain gave the deputation a cold reception. The Indians felt disheartened. From Natal, Chamberlain proceeded to the Transvaal. The Indians there also wanted Gandhi to present their grievances to him.

Before the Boer war, Indians had been free to enter the Transvaal at any time, but now they had to obtain a permit from the newly –created Asiatic Department. The new rule was designed to separate Indians from the whites. To get a permit was no easy matter.

The officers of the Asiatic Department did their best to prevent Gandhi from entering the Transvaal but he had his way in the end. He got a permit and went to Pretoria. But he was not allowed to lead a deputation and present the memorandum he had drafted.

Zulu rebillion

Another thing that happened that year was that Gandhi met H.S.L. Polak, then sub- editor of The Critic. The two soon became good friends as their outlook on life was similar.

Polak presented to Gandhi a copy of Unto This Last, a book written by John Ruskin. This book on economics presented many new ideas and it influenced Gandhi a great deal. He then hit upon the idea of starting a farm and founding a community with a true sense of brotherhood. His friends supported the project enthusiastically.

About a hundred acres of land were acquired at a place called Phoenix near Durban and a farm was set up. In the beginning six families settle there. Indian Opinion was moved to phoenix, complete with press and office. Members of any race could freely go and live there, cultivating the soil or working at the press. Gandhi, however, could stay in the Phoenix Settlement only for brief periods. His headquarters were at Johannesburg where he continued his practice as a lawyer. He knew that it would not be possible to return to India in the near future, so he decided to send for Kasturbai and the children. They soon joined him.