Modi visits Mandela Foundation, interacts with heroes of South African struggle

Johannesberg: Before the community reception here in Johannesberg, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid a visit to the Nelson Mandela Foundation where he met and interacted with the heroes of the South African struggle. Many of these heroes worked closely with Madiba.

Prior to this, he visited the Constitutional Hill and paid floral tributes to the bust of Mahatma Gandhi. He also inaugurated a special exhibition at the prison in Constitutional Hill where Gandhi and former president of South Africa Nelson Mandela were holed up. Prime Minister Modi also met the anti-apartheid revolutionaries and families.

The Constitutional Hill is a homage to a remarkable history. It housed both Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.

Prime Minister Modi earlier on Friday addressed the business meet in Pretoria where he called South Africa a key trade and investment partner and said both the nations must look at ways to diversify the trade basket.

Pointing out that the relations between India and South Africa are built on a strong foundation of history, Prime Minister Modi said Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi brought political freedom and it is the time to work for economic freedom.

Asserting that India is seen as engine of global growth, the Prime Minister said 'Make in India' has become the biggest brand India has ever had.