Navi Pillay’s Indian connection: How a brutal colonial labour system changed generations of lives

Nobel Peace Prize winner Navi Pillay’s grandparents travelled from India to South Africa as indentured labourers. Their story traces the exploitative system that sent more than 150,000 Indians to Natal’s sugar plantations between 1860 and 1911.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Navanethem “Navi” Pillay has a connection to India, but it is not the kind one might expect.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Navi Pillay and her Indian roots

The South African human rights lawyer’s Indian roots go back generations, to a time when thousands of people were taken from the subcontinent to work on sugar plantations under British colonial rule.

Her grandparents were among those who made the journey, linking her family history to a labour system that shaped the lives of Indians overseas.

What was the Indian indentured labour system?

Known as girmit, a term derived from the English word “agreement”, the Indian indentured labour system was a form of contracted overseas employment that expanded during British colonial rule.

After slavery was abolished across most of the British Empire in 1833, plantation owners sought alternative sources of labour. In Natal, present-day South Africa, the growing sugar industry turned to India to meet its demand for workers.

Why were Indian workers sent to South Africa?

The expanding sugar industry in Natal needed workers to cultivate and harvest sugarcane. Colonial authorities turned to India, where poverty and economic hardship made overseas recruitment possible.

The first ship carrying Indian indentured workers to Natal arrived in November 1860. Over the following five decades, more than 150,000 Indians travelled to the colony under the system. Historical research published in Pacific Historical Review puts the total at 152,641 between 1860 and 1911.

How did the system work?

Workers generally entered contracts lasting three to five years, although the terms changed over time. They were assigned to employers and expected to carry out demanding agricultural work, often for low wages.

The contractual arrangement did not guarantee humane treatment. Historical accounts document harsh working conditions, inadequate accommodation and abuses by plantation employers. Workers could also face legal penalties for breaches of their contracts, including offences relating to absence from work.

Their ability to leave was restricted, and the authorities used laws and disciplinary measures to enforce labour obligations. The system therefore created a workforce that was formally contracted but often vulnerable to exploitation.

Could workers return to India?

At the end of their contracts, workers had different options, depending on the rules in force at the time. These included signing another contract, remaining in South Africa or returning to India under the applicable repatriation arrangements.

For many, returning home was not straightforward. Poverty, the cost and practical difficulties of travel, and changing contractual provisions influenced their decisions. Many stayed and established families, helping shape South Africa’s Indian-origin population.

The Indian government eventually prohibited further indentured migration to Natal in 1911, amid mounting evidence of ill-treatment.

Pillay’s family history reflects the lasting consequences of indentured migration and the struggles faced by generations of Indians who settled in South Africa under colonial rule.

Her own career took a markedly different path, leading her to become a prominent international jurist and a leading voice on human rights.

In 2026, Pillay was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her contribution to international justice and human rights, bringing global attention to a life shaped by the pursuit of equality and dignity.

About the Author

Trisha Bhattacharya is a Senior Content Producer at Livemint, with over two years of experience covering entertainment news from India and beyond. She spends her days tracking what’s trending, breaking down pop culture moments, and turning fast-moving entertainment stories into sharp, engaging reads that actually make people want to click — and stay. <br> She holds a Master’s degree in English Literature from Lucknow University, a background that shapes her love for layered narratives, strong voices, and stories that linger long after they’re told. Before joining Livemint, Trisha worked with India Today as an entertainment journalist and film critic. There, she reviewed films, covered industry news, and built a strong foundation in storytelling and cultural analysis. <br> Trisha enjoys working at the intersection of media, culture, and audience interest, always looking for fresh angles and formats. Films, shows, and music are not just her beat but her biggest passion — something that naturally reflects in her writing. Whether it’s cinema, streaming shows, music, or internet trends, she approaches every story with curiosity and intent. <br> Outside the job description, she’s unapologetically passionate about films, shows, and music — sometimes a little too passionate, if you ask her. That enthusiasm often spills into her work, adding personality, urgency, and a touch of chaos that keeps her writing alive. For Trisha, entertainment isn’t just a beat — it’s a language she speaks fluently.