India’s National Congress Party leader Sonia Gandhi met former South African president Nelson Mandela at the Nelson Mandela Foundation on Wednesday.
Gandhi said she was honoured to be meeting Mandela.
”It is a privilege — a visit to South Africa wouldn’t be complete without calling on Madiba,” she said.
She presented Mandela with a book.
The frail-looking Mandela, who greeted everyone with a simple ”hello”, was seen paging through the Gandhi’s Way, a book based on the principles and values of Mahatma Gandhi.
Former Robben Islander Ahmed Kathrada and Indian Foreign Affairs Minister Anand Sharma were also present.
While addressing the crowd, Kathrada said it was an honour to be in the presence of Gandhi and that her visit reminded him of her husband, Rajiv, who was assassinated in May 1991. He had been against 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,” said Kathrada.
While addressing the crowd, 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 was also scheduled to meet President Thabo Mbeki and Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka on Wednesday.
She would, on Thursday, give a lecture at the University of Cape Town.
”I will be speaking at a lecture at the University of Cape Town tomorrow [Thursday] to mark the 100th year of the Satyagraha [non-violence and peace] movement.”
Her brief visit, which was to strengthen relationships between the Indian and South African people, would end on Thursday.
She said she therefore would have ”too little time to see this beautiful country”. — Sapa