Go to
http://www.airports.co.za/ and check the weekly/biweekly flights section for international flights from JNB.
I would recommend Emirates via Dubai (non Star Alliance but you can get points on UA?, just not status? points).
SIA (* alliance) has a once a week flight via Mauritius, just not sure (doesn't look like you can) if you can ticket to Mauritius and then get an Indian airline from Mauritius. Air Mauritius flies once weekly directly to Delhi.
The best connection is either SAA via Mumbai or, secondarily, via BKK.
[This message has been edited by BlondeBomber (edited 07-03-2001).]