RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY BOTH HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT OF INDIA ON THE OCCASION OF THE INSTALLATION OF THE DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED PRESIDENT OF SOUTH AFRICA, NELSON MANDELA

10 May 1994

This House

• Notes that today May 10, 1994 is a special auspicious day for South Africa, the Continent of Africa, the people of India and the whole world.
• Welcomes the fact that a new government elected on the basis of the first ever multi-racial elections has assumed office.
• Rejoices that Mr. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela has been elected as South Africa's first democratic President.
• Recalls that Mahatma Gandhi, Father of the Indian nation, declared his love for South Africa and his concern for her problems.
• Recognises that about 10 lakh* people of Indian origin who are now citizens in South Africa have struggled with their South African brothers and sisters against apartheid and contributed to the prosperity of that country.
• Recognises further that India was always in the forefront of the anti-apartheid struggle, the first nation to raise this issue of racialism in the United Nations, and has rendered consistent moral and material support to the South African people struggling for liberty against colonial domination and White minority rule.

On behalf of the people of India declares that:

• The people of India join with the people of South Africa to celebrate with joy, happiness and pride their achievement of freedom and what their freedom signifies for the whole world.
• That the South African struggle has shown that the strength of the human spirit and moral conviction are irresistible forces for positive change.
• India extends its warmest congratulations to President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela as he takes up his responsibilities today as Head of State of South Africa. We pay tributes to all the people of South Africa in wishing them success in building a future of peace, democracy and prosperity.

* A lakh is one hundred thousand.