Sonia meets Mandela

Congress President Sonia Gandhi today met Nobel Peace laureate and former South African President Nelson Mandela here, and presented the latter a book on Mahatma Gandhi, The Gandhian Way.

Johannesburg, Aug 22 : Congress President Sonia Gandhi today met Nobel Peace laureate and former South African President Nelson Mandela here, and presented the latter a book on Mahatma Gandhi, 'The Gandhian Way'.

Sonia said that it was a 'privilege' for her to meet the great leader and described her visit to the African nation as a 'pilgrimage'.

"Coming here without calling on Mandela, the visit would not be complete," she told reporters.

Sonia, who is on a three-day visit to the African nation, will be delivering a lecture on Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent philosophy at the University of Cape Town on Thursday.

Her visit to South Africa coincides with the commemoration of the centenary of the Mahatma's first 'Satyagraha' movement in the African nation. he is scheduled to meet President Thabo Mbeki and Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka on Thursday, and would be holding talks with them on bilateral relations.

ANI