MISSISSAGUA: The South African activist and freedom fighter Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was today presented with the Sikhs’ highest honours, a religious “kirpan” wrapped in a fine piece of Ceremonial cloth, known as “siropa”, by the Sikhs of Canada.

Presenting these symbols of dignity, Mr. Harbhajan Singh Pandori, the president of Ontario KhaIsa Darbar, one of the leading gurdwaras in Mississauga, Canada, said, “We the Sikhs of Canada welcome you Mr. Mandela, and please accept our appreciation as we present you with a plaque, our ceremonial sword (kirpan) and siropa as the tokens of the Sikhs ‘highest honours to you. These symbols are for your continued struggle and resistance against apartheid in South Africa and racism in the world. The victory will be yours.”

Mr. Pandori was accompanied by Mr. Swaran Singh Kairon, the gurdwaras secretary.

The presentation was unique and first ever of its kind for Mr. Mandela, and the Canadian people who had assembled at the Queen’s Park in Toronto. It was vastly applauded by one and all. Among the dignitaries were Mr. Joe Clark, Secretary of State, Mr. David Peterson, the Ontario Premier, Mrs. Winnie Mandela, African National Congress members and leaders of all political parties in Canada.

Over 30000 Torontonians from all walks of life witnessed the historic occasion and cheered by raising their clenched fists in the style and spirit of the Mandela’s. Although the black citizens were in majority, many mainstream and ethnic Canadians added luster by their presence and filling the front view of the majestic buildings. Many wept when Mr. Mandela narrated his ordeal of 2. 7 years in the South African National Congress. The money was donated by the enthusiastic Sikhs of Canada.

Earlier reports of blocking the presentation of kirpan to Mr. Mandela, by the Govt. of Canada, were false and baseless. They were dispelled when an accredited Sikh journalist Irvinderpal Singh Babra found out no evidence of any conspiracy whatsoever.

Govt. of Canada agreed to donate over $5 million to Mr. Mandela, and an unspecified amount was collected also at the rally. TORONTO: Mr. Nelson Mandela, the South African leader and vice chairman of the African National Congress is expected to visit the Ontario Khalsa Darbar in Toronto this year.

Mr. Harbhajan Singh Pandon, the president of Ontario Khalsa Darbar presented a check of $10,000 to Mr. Peter Mahalangu the chief representative of ANC in ‘Canada on July 15. He appealed ‘on behalf of the Sikhs of Canada and said, “when the killings in South Africa continues and so is racism and discrimination in that part of the world, it is the duty of the mankind to help Mr. Mandela succeed against the white, racist regime there. We watch the inhuman torture against the blacks there, almost every other day on the TV, and feel bound to do something to stop it, we the Sikhs of Canada support the African national Congress and its efforts in fight against the regime and support Mr. Mandela. We are also reminded of our Guru Gobind Singh’s saying that it is right to draw the sword against injustice when all other peaceful means had failed. In that connection, Mandela and his people have suffered for over three hundred years and injustice against them must stop now. We are helping them with this little donation of ten thousand dollars in their struggle and we also request Mr. Mandela to visit us at Ontario Khalsa Darbar in October this year when he is coming to Canada again.

Accepting the check, Mr. Peter Mahalangu was overwhelmed. He said, “We are so very grateful to the Sikhs of Canada for their donation and helping us in our struggle of a new nation in South Africa. We are human beings and want to be treated as the human beings not the way the fascist, white regime is treating us in South Africa. We are forced to take up the armed struggle against the rule. The money is needed and such donations will be used to the ANC’s religious work. We look forward to Mr. Mandela’s second visit to Canada in this year. It would be an opportunity for him to meet the Sikhs of Canada and thank them for their generosity personally.

The money was raised by the Ontario Khalsa Darbar committee. Also present at the ceremony were Narinder Singh Dhillon, Swaran Singh Kairon, Sarabjit Singh Dhillon, and other members.

Article extracted from this publication >> July 20, 1990