Honours for S African NRI freedom veteran

Ahmed Kathrada, a S African Indian veteran of the freedom struggle, got a surprise visit from his long-time comrade, Nelson Mandela.

Ahmed Kathrada, a South African Indian veteran of the freedom struggle, got a surprise visit from his long-time comrade, former president Nelson Mandela, when the former celebrated the launch of his memoirs and his 75th birthday.

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A week earlier Kathrada, descended from a pioneering Gujarati family, was one of the recipients of the inaugural Mahatma Gandhi Remembrance Organization's annual Heroes Night awards.

This time, a packed audience from all over the country wished Kathrada a happy 75th birthday as he also marked the launch of his book, entitled simply "Memoirs" in the mainly Indian township of Lenasia, south of Johannesburg.

Although Kathrada had an earlier book, "Letters from Robben Island", published, that was more a collection of letters written and received by him over the years.