Monday, June 27 2005 10:54 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Durban: The inspiration given by Mahatma Gandhi and India for the success of South Africa's anti-apartheid movement came in for praise from President Thabo Mbeki yesterday (Jun 26, 2005).

He was speaking on the 50th anniversary celebration of Freedom Charter, adopted on this day in 1955 by the then African National Congress (ANC), South African Indian Congress, the white Congress of Democrats, and the Coloured Peoples Congress at Kliptown, Johannesburg.

Mbeki told thousands who attended the function that the presence of Congress MP and spokesperson Anand Sharma, who represented the Indian National Congress (INC) is no accident. "He is with us because the Indian and South African people do claim parentage to an eminent human being, Mahatma Gandhi."

"He is here today to give meaning to what the Freedom Charter said, that there shall be peace and friendship."

"His presence here at Kliptown surrounded by the challenging images of Soweto which we can all see rather than the plush lawns of the northern suburbs (former white residential areas) of Johannesburg, speaks of our commitment to join hands on behalf of the poor of the world to achieve the objective of a better life for all, globally."

The Freedom Charter stipulated, among other things, "South Africa belongs to all who live in it, both black and white, and no government shall claim authority over it, unless it is based on the will of the people."

Mbeki said the representation of INC reflected unbreakable ties of solidarity that unites the peoples and liberation movements of India and South Africa.

Sharma is "one of the people who represents millions of activists around the world and nations who took action to help us achieve our liberation," Mbeki said.

Leader of Anti-apartheid struggle and former president Nelson Mandela, Albertina Sisulu, wife of the late former ANC veteran Walter Sisulu and Adelaide Tambo, wife of former ANC president Oliver Tambo attended the function. The immediate former Deputy President, Jacob Zuma, who Mbeki sacked on claims of corruption, was also present.

Most of the clauses of the Freedom Charter are today reflected in the country's new non-racial and democratic constitution.

Noting that the struggles for equality and better life for all was far from over, Mbeki acknowledged the assistance by the international community, especially India, in South Africa's attainment of freedom and liberty.

Meanwhile, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Charter, a move is afoot by former Indian-origin activists to recognise the contributions of thousands of people who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of South Africa.

The leader of the initiative, Ela Gandhi, a granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, said the plan to recognise people of Indian origin would be undertaken under the banner of the Presidential Project Freedom Park Trust.

Mahatma Gandhi, Monty Naicker, Yusuf Dadoo, Keseval Goonum Naidoo, J N Singh, Hassan Mall, and M D Naidoo will be given posthumous honours. They were all leaders of the now defunct Natal and South African Indian Congresses.