Gandhi prize for Nelson Mandela
Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 11:07 am Under World News Alerts
Iconic former South African president Nelson Mandela was today honoured with ‘Mahatma Gandhi International Award for Reconciliation and Peace-2008′ “for touching hearts of people across the world with contributions and sacrifices.”
As Mandela, who turned 90 last Friday, was not present in person to receive the award, his long-time prison comrade and political adviser, Ahmed Kathrada, received it on his behalf. The award was instituted by Durban-based Mahatma Gandhi Development Trust and The Satyagraha Organisation in 2003.
The award was given away by another former prison comrade Billy Nair, who spent 20 years on Robben Island prison.
On behalf of the anti-apartheid leader Kathrada said, “I (Mandela) am honoured to receive the award because I was influenced to a great extent by the actions and teachings of Gandhiji.”
Speaking about Mandela he said “The first thing people must know about Mandela is that he is not a saint. He is a human being and like all of us he has human weaknesses. He had always striven for a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa which we must carry forward.”
Awards were also presented to Albertina Sisulu, wife of late Walter Sisulu; Durban lawyer D K Singh; Coral Vinsen; Yunus Mahomed, who died last year; Iam Mkhize; and the late Catholic Archbishop of Durban, Denis Hurley “for their contributions towards the achievement of a new South Africa.”
Indian Consul in Durban, Harsh Varshan Shringla, was also present at the function.
(Agencies)
( This post is from an independent writer. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not endorsed by APakistanNews.Com.)
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