Just over one hundred years ago, a young lawyer arrived in South Africa from India to do some legal work. He planned to complete his work and return to his family and friends in India. But Mohandas Gandhi soon saw and experienced for himself injustices in the country. He decided to stay and fight the government's cruel race laws. Later, he returned to India and played and important role in its struggle for independence. Today, Gandhi's "passive resistance" method of protest is known throughout the world - and is used by many who believe in non-violence as one of the ways of fighting for their rights. Gandhi's fight against racial and social injustice in South Africa as told by his granddaughter, Ela Gandhi, began a momentum that inspired many political organisations opposed to this country's racial laws. His legacy will continue to inspire people in their fight against all forms of oppression. They Fought for Freedom tells the life stories of southern African leaders who struggled for freedom and justice. In spite of the important roles they played in the history of southern Africa, most of these leaders have been largely ignored by the history books. The series tells their stories in an entertaining manner, in clear language and aims to restore them to their rightful place in history.

Mahatma Gandhi's humane philosophy and inherent spirituality had a profound influence not only on the people of India but the freedom loving people worldwide. 11th of September 2006 marked the centenary of the Satyagraha movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa for peaceful resistance against discriminatory and unjust laws. ""Satyagraha - the firmness of the force Truth"" became a powerful mass movement of peaceful resistance and civil disobedience. Over the years, it evolved into a dynamic mass movement of effective action.Commemorating 100 years of 'Satyagraha' in a befitting manner, the Indian National Congress convened a two day international conference: ""Peace, Non-violence and Empowerment: Gandhian Philosophy in the 21st Century"". Over 300 international delegates from 91 countries comprising world leaders, Nobel laureates, leading peace and human rights activists and Gandhian scholars reflected on the essence and the enduring relevance of Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy. The conference deliberated on subjects and issues which represent the core of Gandhian thought. The discussion touched upon a wide range of Gandhian principles and values including Mahatma Gandhi's concern for the poor and his abiding commitment to non-violence and people's empowerment. Emerging from the discussions amongst the luminaries was the collective affirmation to renew people's commitment to Mahatma's noble mission of building a world that is in peace and harmony with itself.Based on the deliberations of this conference, together with precious archival material, this volume - a book for the future - endeavours to reach out and connect the people, especially the younger generation, to the 'Gandhian way' and to carry forward his legacy into the 21st century.