World News | Vice President Mashatil Says South African Government Fully Supports Yoga

JOHANNESBURG, June 25 (PTI) South African Vice-President Paul Mashatil has hailed the Consulate General of India in Johannesburg for setting a record for the African continent where more than 6,000 yoga enthusiasts gathered at the iconic Wanderers Stadium for a yoga session.

Yoga classes were held in the South African city on Saturday as part of International Day of Yoga celebrations around the world on June 21.

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Amid applause from thousands of participants seated on colorful yoga mats, Mashatier said the South African government fully supports yoga.

He commended Consul General Kumar and his team for their efforts in bringing diverse communities together for yoga classes.

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“We will continue to support this campaign with the Consul General and others. Our relationship with India dates back to the days of Mahatma Gandhi, who launched a movement of civil disobedience in South Africa in 1893, more than a century ago. Therefore, we are in partnership with India has a very good relationship. We will continue to maintain that relationship,” the vice president said.

Kumar described Mashathir as a “great friend of India” and said the vice president represented the aspirations of a new South Africa.

“On behalf of the Indian community, we wish him all the best. Honorable Vice President, I assure you that we will support every initiative your government takes,” Kumar said.

“June is now known as Yoga Month because of the growing popularity of yoga,” Kumar said, adding that Saturday was chosen for the mass event to facilitate participation.

“Our celebration in Johannesburg today is considered the largest event of its kind in Africa and is perfectly fitting to mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and South Africa. It sparks our imagination to do better, bigger and more impactful things together ,” Kumar said.

Yoga classes are led by renowned yoga expert Maya Bhatt from India.

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