Tuesday December 10, 4:37 PM

S. African honour for Mahatma Gandhi

By Fakir Hassen, Indo-Asian News Service

Pretoria, Dec 10 (IANS) Human rights icon Mahatma Gandhi has become one of the recipients of a range of national awards made for the first time by the democratic government in South Africa.

Previously, under the minority white apartheid regime, national awards were made only to white South Africans. The new awards are made in three categories.

Gandhi, who formulated his passive resistance principles in the fight against oppression during his tenure in South Africa in the last century, received the Order of the Companion of O.R. Tambo (Gold Class) at a function at the Union Buildings here Tuesday.

His great-grandson Satish Dhupelia, born and settled in Durban, accepted the award.

The citation awarded his "lifetime achievement in the struggle to create a just world order, exceptional contribution in combating racism and colonialism and for advancing the idea of the unity of humankind and the solidarity of peoples".

This order, named after the late veteran African National Congress leader Oliver Tambo, is awarded to individuals of foreign nationality (heads of state and government and other dignitaries) for friendship shown to South Africa.

It is an order of peace, cooperation and active expression of solidarity and support. It is an essential pillar of international and multilateral relations.