Thank You India: By Pres Mbeki

[Guest guest]

South African President Thabo Mbeki's New Book

 

New Delhi, Oct. 14: South African President Thabo Mbeki will say

"Thank you, India" through a book he will release during his visit

here on Thursday for India's support to his country's struggle

against Apartheid.

 

The South African High Commission has been working hard collecting

material for the book Dhanyawat India — Hindi for Thank you, India —

and printing it for release during Mbeki's visit (October 15-17).

 

"We wanted to say `thank you' from our hearts and decided this was

the best way to do it," South African High Commissioner M E Nkoana-

Mashabane said.

 

The book, sponsored by four firms — two from India and two from

South Africa — is a tribute to people in both countries who were

associated with the struggle against Apartheid in South Africa. Some

of them who are still alive have been interviewed in the book.

 

"To me, the President's visit is historic in the sense it is in the

footprints of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela," the envoy said,

adding it will enhance the "partnership" between the two countries.

 

Mbeki, who arrives here on Wednesday evening on a three-day visit,

will hold talks with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and other

Indian leaders on Thursday. He will visit Hyderabad on Friday and

Mumbai on Saturday before returning home. This is the South African

leader's first visit to this country since assuming the office of

president four years ago.

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