Several factors, such as service delivery and a well-fought campaign, gave the African National Congress the Indian vote in KwaZulu-Natal, according to political analysts and community leaders.
In the previous two general elections, the Indian community largely voted for opposition parties. However, Indian support for the party enabled it to garner the majority vote in the province.
While the ANC did not get a clear simple majority, it won more votes than any other party, including the Inkatha Freedom Party-Democratic Alliance coalition.
Sociologist Fatima Meer said one of the factors which could have contributed to the ANC getting the Indian vote this time round was the fact that good service delivery at local government level, especially in an area such as Chatsworth, was appreciated by residents.
She also believes Muslim voters had probably turned to the ANC because of its support for the Palestinians in the Middle East conflict.
Lochan Naidoo, who runs a drug rehabilitation clinic in Merebank, said he believed Indians no longer had the fears they had harboured in the past.
"It seems our people have realised they can live peacefully under an ANC government. In the past, they voted Democratic Alliance because they believed the whites would protect them."
He also felt that the problems in the education department run by the IFP had an influence on the indian vote.
"Education is a major issue for Indians," said Naidoo.
Sayed Iqbal Mohammed of the Organisation of Civic Rights said the Indian community had at long last matured.
"They are looking at themselves as South Africans now, not as an ethnic minority. They are also seeing the delivery of essential services, water, lights and refurbishment of homes.
"As for the Muslim vote, the people have realised that the ANC protects religious rights. It has been proved over and over again.
"The ANC's stand on Palestine also won them support," said Mohammed.
Political scientist Lubna Nadvi said the ANC ran a very effective campaign and had done their homework extremely well.
She said there were two main reasons why the Indian vote in Chatsworth and Phoenix swung away from the DA.
The ANC got the Muslim vote because they had the support of the Muslim leaders. Some of them took out newspaper advertisements calling on Muslims to vote ANC.
The second major factor for the Muslim vote going to the ANC could be related to the conflict in the Middle East. The DA has no clear-cut policy and this convinced many Muslims to vote ANC.
The Hindu vote also went to the ANC as, once again, they had the support of the religious leaders .
Business consultant Raymond Naidu said the Indian community had finally realised that the ANC was the only stable political party in South Africa.
"They have the best economic policies. They have reduced the country's debt. The Rand is in a stronger position and there is service delivery," said Naidu.
He said most Indians also responded to a well-run election campaign.