<span style="color: #222222;">South African President Cyril Ramaphosa today said India and South Africa have had close political, cultural, trade and strategic ties since the end of apartheid. Giving the first IBSA Gandhi-Mandela Memorial Freedom Lecture in Delhi, President Ramaphosa said this cooperation has been further deepened since South Africa joined politics. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He said India was one of the first countries to recognise democratic South Africa. Mr Ramaphosa thanked people of India for encouragement and support during South Africa's struggle for freedom. He said India's leaders have been consistent with their solidarity for liberation struggles, particularly in African continent. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Speaking on Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, the South African President said both of them were statesmen and leaders whose legacy go far beyond their status as founding fathers of two great nations. He elaborated that they shared a common passion for an understanding of principle of sustainable development. Mr Ramaphosa also said Gandhi and Mandela understood importance of environment conservation and development of rural communities.</span><br />'' <br />