Congress has paid a glowing tribute to South African leader Nelson Mandela, whose 100th birth anniversary was celebrated across the world on Wednesday. Both Congress President Rahul Gandhi and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi wrote separate letters to current President of African National Congress, Cyril Ramaphosa, as they remembered the strong historic bonds between the ANC and Congress.

“I will always cherish the memories of my meeting with Madiba. We spoke at length about the need for a nation to forgive its oppressors and to heal, but to never forget the oppression unleashed on it,” Rahul wrote in his letter to Ramaphosa.

Rahul further noted how Mandela had told him that he had been inspired by the ideals of Indian freedom struggle icon Mahatma Gandhi.