Why is Mauritius so successful?

There are 16 Public holidays in Mauritius 4 Christian, 4 Muslim, 4 Hindu, 4 chosen by Governement.

They create a shared joy because all are celebrated by the entire population.

Yesterday was Sunday, and we normally dive on Sundays, but the boat is having a service, so I drove to Grand Bay to buy supplies. To my surprise the Christian Church was packed to the rafters, with standing room only outside and a full Police presence needed to direct the traffic!

My friends in the UK mention the closure of churches, the lack of faith deteriorating behavour.. Yet in Mauritius, a predominantly Hindu country Chirstianity is thriving.

The Christian Church was full: the grounds were overflowing

We have even had a visit from the Pope himself. Again standing room only, and he was delighted to shake the hand of our Hindu Prime Minister Pravin Jugnauth at that time.

The crowd that gathered to welcome the Pope.

A respectful well disciplined trained Police Force

The Police Force is not aggressive and arrogant. They are there to Serve and Protect and to Keep the Peace- not to intimidate but to facilitate.If I have a problem with a custom I don't understand, I call on the local police. Friendly helpful and always respectful and polite.

Respect for others

I am not Muslim. but Saturday was Eid, the end of Ramadan, and my inbox was filled with good wishes. So I shared this with all my Mulim friends. In Mauritius Eid is a Public holiday and the entire bulding industry shuts down, as most of the hardware store owners are Muslim- hard working, reliable and honest.

Nobody eats during the day during Ramadan, so its important to remember that its a stressful time, and much harder to work when you cant eat of drink, and you need to focus on faith and prayers.

It will soon be Ganeshes Birthday, which is celebrated joyfully by the Hindu Community, a very important Public Holiday, and a lot of fun.

The Sacred Lake Ganga Talao, with its giant statues to remind us that Hindu matters

• Festivals such as Diwali, Eid, and Christmas bring communities together in shared celebration.

• Rituals often involve honoring ancestors and seeking blessings from elders.

• Participation in religious events reinforces social bonds and respect for different beliefs.

These observances highlight how spirituality and cultural values intertwine in daily life.

Respect within the family unit is expressed through care, communication, and shared responsibility.

Children all go to school from around 3-4 years of age and one rarely see them except on the beaches on weekends. Family is the cornerstone of Mauritian life. This respect strengthens family ties and ensures that traditions and values are passed down through generations. The family structure often includes extended members, emphasizing collective support. You will see a single story house with construction on the roof- a son is getting married. Sometimes it takes years to build the second story, so you will also see many partly finished houses while the newly- weds save up to complete their home.

Family gatherings and celebrations are common in Mauritius, but strangers are always welcome.

Corona North supports a refuge for battered women, so I am certain this type of abuse does happen. Men get drunk, men become abusive,and women need help- even in Mauritius. But I have never seen this myself.

The Hon Patrice David, Deputy Minister of Blue Economy on the Ocean Spirit boat, learning to scuba dive, so he would understand the ocean. That took courage as he did it with full media coverage.

The passionate engagement in government portfolios by politicians

The most importent aspect of Mauritius and the reason why I have invested in this remarkable country is the stability of government. I have witnessed 2 general elections, and each was properly conducted, well managed, and the change of governing party smoothly undisputed. Politicians are hard working, dedicate men who in my experience honour their positions and enhance the governance of Mauriitus.

This circles back to the pillars that hold this country together- Humility and Respect.

This year we celebrated The Chinese Year of the Fire Horse.

These public celebrations create a shared joy- all are Public Holidays in Mauritius. Religious observances are not only spiritual acts but also a great time to meet friends outside the family, have a good gosssip or meet on the beach for a picnic.

Mauritius is home to diverse religious communities, all celebrating each others festivals. But best of all, all these public holidays give everyone a day off work.