i. At that time of his life, a 24-year-old Gandhi believed that the British Empire would ensure the freedom of its subjects in an oppressive settler colony.

ii He supported the British in the Boer war (1899-1902), and raised a unit of stretcher bearers to accompany troops to the front.

iiiHe expected the British to reciprocate by protecting Indians.

ivHowever, his hope was belied as Gandhiji faced discrimination directed at people of colour. He was thrown off a train at Pietermaritzburg after refusing to move from the first-class He faced many hardships and discrimination in various forms.

These events were a turning point in Gandhi’s life and shaped his social activism and awakened him to social injustice.

i.His understanding of ideas such satya and ahimsa got strengthened in this phase. He became more inclusive to masses.

ii. He developed the strategy of satyagraha, in which campaigners went on peaceful marches and presented themselves for arrest in protest against unjust laws. For example:

iii.  During 1894-1906, he used moderate methods such petitions and applications to the government.  He also published a journal Indian Opinion. Such practices he also applied in India to demand freedom the British and to increase awareness among Indian masses through his journals such as Young India.

iv.  He used method of Satyagraha against Registration Certificates in South Africa. This was one of his most popular techniques which he also applied in India such as in Champaran etc.

v.  Gandhi used civil disobedience against Restriction on Indian Migrants in South Africa. He used the same technique in Civil Disobedience by breaking the salt laws.

vi.He united all Indians belonging to different religions and classes, men and women alike. The same he did in India. He spearheaded Khilafat Movement. He united people from different part of India and also paved the way for women in politics. He took break from the active politics for the emancipation of Harijans in India.

vii. He learned lessons of organizational politics by playing key role in Natal Indian Congress. Likewise, he also played major role in Indian National Congress.

viii. During his stay in South Africa he also realized the military might of British and was convinced that it can’t be challenged through force. Hence, peaceful means were the best way to defeat the British.