He is also noted for his extensive missionary work; educational contributions; social responsibility; conflict resolutions and community service, provided at a pivotal and dangerous time for Indians in Natal.
His school, one of very few formal educational facilities available at that time for Indian pupils, taught a curriculum of both religious and secular education and was inclusive of both Christian and non-Christian pupils; Black and mixed race children, then called Coloured.
Thus, he is credited by his superiors, peers and notable pupils, for greatly advancing not only the education, but the successful identity, community growth, and cultural life of the non-Christian and Christian East Indian populace in the province of Natal.
He can thus, also be credited for heavily influencing and motivating the young Indian minds of various faiths, who went on to acquire acclaim within the non-violent anti-Apartheid Movement; and national business, political and cultural arenas.
Conditions in India during this time were vastly deteriorated due to a combination of life-threatening factors which included growing tensions between various religions; the worsening caste system; slow recovery from the Great Famine of 1876–78; and the natural disaster phenomena known as monsoon droughts which was threatening a whole new outbreak of widespread famine which eventually did occur, resulting the deaths of many millions of Indians.
Some of the reasoning for this can be found in the fears expressed a few years later in 1925, by leading proponents of the Apartheid ideology and their proposal of an ethnic cleansing of the Indian population via forced emigration from South Africa.
Malan, the Minister of the Interior, stated in parliament: ... the Indian, as a race in this country, is an alien element in the population.
Thomas performed his crucial roles as minister, schoolmaster and community leader in Kwa-Zulu Natal.