Speaking on the occasion, Sharma saluted the remarkable contribution of Mandela and Kathrada in the struggle against apartheid and in their continued efforts to fight against racial discrimination and prejudice.

'Comrade Kathy (as Kathrada is affectionately known) will always be remembered for his spirit of sacrifice, his selfless service to society and above all, his humility and self effacing nature,' Sharma said as he handed over a special souvenir on behalf of the government and people of India to Kathrada.

Sharma also referred to the high esteem that Kathrada enjoys in India and recalled the special dinner that had been organised to commemorate his 78th birthday two years ago during the visit of Congress President Sonia Gandhi to South Africa.

In his response, Kathrada expressed his own profound appreciation for the support that he had always received from India and recalled the commitment of Indian and Congress party leaders from Jawaharlal Nehru to Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi to the African National Congress' (ANC) struggle against apartheid.

Acknowledging Sharma's commitment to Africa and to South Africa in particular for over three decades, Kathrada also asked the minister to convey his thanks to India for the generous donation of $200,000 that was presented to the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation at a gala dinner in Lenasia, 35 km south of here, by High Commissioner Rajiv Bhatia Aug 15.