By IANS
Johannesburg : Congress president Sonia Gandhi Wednesday met former South African president Nelson Mandela during the second day of her trip to South Africa.
After meeting South Africa’s first democratically elected president at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Gandhi said she was honoured to be meeting the man who had led the campaign against white apartheid rule.
“It is a privilege, a visit to South Africa wouldn’t be complete without calling on Madiba (Mandela),” SAPA reported Gandhi as saying.
She presented the frail-looking Mandela with “The Gandhian Way”, a book based on the principles and values of Indian independence hero, Mahatma Gandhi, who lived in Durban for many years.
Former Robben Island prisoner Ahmed Kathrada, who met Gandhi said it was an honour to be in the presence of Gandhi and that her visit reminded him of her husband Rajiv, who had been opposed to South Africa’s apartheid regime.
“Sonia Gandhi’s significant presence gives us the opportunity to recall the assassination with sadness … but it also gives us an opportunity to salute a prominent Indian leader,” Kathrada said.
India’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anand Sharma said: “It is a privilege and blessing to be in the presence of people who believe in human dignity and freedom. Mandela is a hero of our people, we would like to convey our gratitude and appreciation.”
Gandhi is also scheduled to hold talks with President Thabo Mbeki Wednesday and speak at the University of Cape Town Thursday.
The speech is to launch a worldwide series of speeches in which she is to discuss the significance of Mahatma Gandhi and the importance of his vision of non-violence in today’s world.
Her speech would “mark the 100th year of the Satyagraha (non-violence and peace) movement,” she said.
The Indian leader’s visit aims “to strengthen and consolidate political, economic, trade and cultural relations between the peoples of South Africa and India.”
South Africa and India regard themselves as strategic partners for development but also with regard to their historical ties.