This 12th March 2018, Mauritius celebrates 50 years of independence. It is a time for celebration for some and a time for reflection for others. Like many other colonies, independence came at a cost to Mauritius.
In the 1967 general election, an election regarded as a referendum on independence, 44% of Mauritians voted to remain a British colony. Whatever might be said about what caused it, how, why etc… the fact is that a very large number of Mauritians were against becoming independent. After independence, many people left Mauritius what would become of an independent Mauritius.

Were their fears justified?
Many would say Yes. Mauritius after 50 years of independence is still rife with poverty, corruption, weak institutions, an arguably weak democracy, political interference and many of the ills of a developing country. Many of the Mauritians who left went to England, France and Australia where they enjoy a much higher standard of living that they otherwise would have in Mauritius. So, for the people who left, their fears can still today be justified.
On the other hand, Mauritius is also one of the richest country per capita in Africa, has one of the lowest perceptions of corruption in Africa, is one of the rare countries to be praised for holding free and fair elections and peaceful transition of government in Africa, free healthcare for all, free universal education right up to university level and many other things that it should feel proud about. As a tiny island in the Indian Ocean with nothing more than beautiful beaches and plenty of seafood, Mauritius has done better than many countries to grow from a single crop economy in the 1950’s to now become a diversified economy that gives a certain level of satisfaction to it’s citizens. It’s not perfect but it has made progress that not many could have predicted it would when it became independent, all of that in 50 years since becoming independent.
And what about its identity in all of that?
It is said that there are only 2 things that divide people. Religion and politics. Try telling that to a Manchester United and a Liverpool supporter, but in truth, politics can divide people and it certainly has in Mauritius. Unfortunately, instead of being along ideological lines; right, left, conservatives, liberal, pro-business, pro workers etc… Mauritian politics got divided along religious and community lines. Political parties were formed along those lines and until today operate along those lines. That has slowed the ability of Mauritians to form a true ‘Mauritian’ identity.
That being said, we must also realise that Mauritius is one of the rare colonies where it’s immigrants don’t publicly identify with their ancestral roots. Unlike Fiji or some of the Caribbean islands where they still identify as Indo-Fijian, native Fijian etc…, you will probably never hear a Mauritian identify as an Indo-Mauritian, an Afro-Mauritian or a Chinese-Mauritian. In most countries where Mauritians migrated, they identify as Mauritians and many are seriously proud Mauritians. There are many signs that even if it has not yet fully gelled, the Mauritian identity is a developing reality.
This year Mauritius celebrates 50 years of independence. Whether we like it or not, it is our reality. As we celebrate this important milestone, let us come together and celebrate our unity despite our diversity. Let us celebrate how the world sees us, as a people who have learnt how to peacefully cohabitate. Let us celebrate our successes and cheer each other and truly become Mauritian, a unique people, a unique heritage