ELA GANDHI has been a social activist in Durban, South Africa, where she oversaw the process of first democratic elections in post-apartheid South Africa. She is a former member of the South African Parliament where she served on several important committees, including on Education, Justice, Public Enterprises, Social Development, Arts Culture Science and Technology.

Later she was the Chancellor of Durban University of Technology from 2007-2012. She has received several honorary doctorates including from the Kwa Zulu Natal University and the Lincoln University in Lincolnshire U.K.

Her numerous honors and awards include the Padma Bhushan—one of the highest awards given to a civilian by the Government of India. Currently, she serves in many honorary positions such as Trustee of the Gandhi Development Trust, the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Trust, President of the World Conference on Religions for Peace International, and the Editor of an Electronic Newspaper, Satyagraha.

She is a founder of International Centre of Nonviolence (ICON) and serves on its Board.