Africa's Stamp Collectables Giving Tribute To Gandhi
Before leading the Indian freedom movement, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi used to live in South Africa to fight against injustice and class division. Countries like Niger, Uganda, Congo, South Africa and many more have issued many stamps dedicated to him.
U.A.R. / Egypt (1969)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
At the age of 23, M.K.Gandhi set sail for South Africa where he spent 21 years and developed his political views, ethics and politics.
Stamp of Morocco (1969)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
Within 10 years, he propagated the philosophy of Satyagraha there and propelled the country towards a no class or ethnic discrimination society.
Even now, Africa still celebrates the man’s teaching. Many countries have issued various stamps and cover to pay tribute to him.
Stamp of Cameroon (1969)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
Mahatma Gandhi was an advocate for nonviolence who promoted the use of nonviolence in efforts to achieve the social and political changes of that time.
Cameroon issued a stamp set to celebrate him as an Apostles of Peace.
Stamp of Benin (2005)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
The Republic of Benin issued a miniature sheet of 1 stamp on M K Gandhi. The image on the stamp shows Gandhi writing and Dandi march as the back image of the sheet.
Stamp of Tchad (1996)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
The Souvenir Sheet features stamps on personalities like Dalai Lama, Martin Luther King Jr. , John F. Kennedy, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa and Nelson Mandela. All of them are concerned with HUMAN RIGHTS and PEACE.
The Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa and Nelson Mandela have also won the Nobel Prize for Peace.
Fake Stamp Central African Republic (2010)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
Many fake stamps have been issued in the name of the Central African Republic.
Even though it holds no value and cannot be used to cover the postage services, they are beautifully designed.
Fake Stamp Central African Republic (2011)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
This is another fake stamp of Mahatma Gandhi with colorful illustrations of him, India Gate and Taj Mahal.
Fake stamp of Central African Republic (2011)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
Another fake stamp issued in the same year showing Mahatma Gandhi along with different wild animals.
Stamp of Africa (2008)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
Comoros issued a stamp sheet on the theme ‘The Humanists’. Mahatma Gandhi is one of the leading men earlier and is seen in one of the postal stamps.
Fake stamp of Congo (2007)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
Congo was the 3rd country in the world to issue Gandhi stamp and first-day cover.
It is a block of 4 stamps with portraits of Mahatma Gandhi on it, but its authenticity cannot be verified.
Postage Republique Gabonaise (1969)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
Gabon issued a first-day cover to celebrate nonviolence advocates. Gandhi and Martin Luther King stamps are launched along with it.
Mahatma Gandhi's approach directly influenced Martin Luther King Jr., who argued that the Gandhian philosophy was “the only morally and practically sound method open to oppressed people in their struggle for freedom.”
Stamp of Ghana (1998)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
To commemorate Mahatma Gandhi on his 50th death anniversary, Ghana issued a stamp with him on it.
India and Ghana have been partners in the struggle against apartheid and colonialism at the United Nations and other international fora.
Ghana postage stamp (1998)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
Colonialism is a practice of domination and apartheid is a policy that governed relations between South Africa's white minority and nonwhite majority and discrimination against nonwhites.
It is a miniature sheet of Mahatma Gandhi with pictures of his famous Dandi March (Salt Satyagraha) and various portraits.
Stamp of Guinea-Bissau (2011)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
On the 60th anniversary of the Republic of India, Guinea Bissau issued a famous Indian personalities theme-based stamp.
Mahatma Gandhi's portrait is on the postal stamp to pay homage to the leader.
Stamp of Guinea-Bissau (2010)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
It is another Mahatma Gandhi miniature sheet stamp issued by Guinea Bissau.
Stamp of Guinea (2008)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
Guinea postal office issued a colorful stamp under celebrities theme. It has an image of Mahatma Gandhi image along with Taj Mahal and orchids.
Stamp of Guinee (2008) (2008)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
This is another stamp by Guinea with Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru image on the stamp. As the back image of the stamp sheet, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and orchids are seen.
Stamp of Senegal (1969)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
To commemorate Mahatma Gandhi on his birth centenary in 1969 Senegal issued a stamp as a memorial.
Somalia Stamp (1969)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
Somalia issued various stamps featuring different portraits of Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of his birth centenary.
Somalia Stamp (1969)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
This is another stamp issued by Somalia. The image shows freeing the bird which represents freedom.
Sao Tome and Principe postage stamps (2010)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
A colourful stamp issued by Sao Tome with Mahatma Gandhi image on it. It shows Sabarmati Ashram. It was one of the many residences of the great visionary.
S. Tome Principe Stamps (2009)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
Another stamp set was issued to celebrate the International Year of Reconciliation in 2009. This set has stamps featuring Mahatma Gandhi, Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa and Pope Jean-Paul II.
Sao Tome and Principe postage stamps (2007)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
This is a beautiful souvenir sheet consisting of 1 stamp, issued by St. Thomas & Prince island in 2007, honoring the 60 year anniversary of India's independence. Also honored on the sheet is political and spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi.
Sao Tome E Principe Stamps (1980)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
On the 5th Independence anniversary of Sao Tome in 1980, the country issued a Mahatma Gandhi stamp along with stamps of other famous personalities.
Stamp of Mali (1978)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
Mali issued postal stamps on the 30th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's assassination in 1978. It has a portrait of him with roses at the side.
Upper Volta issued a stamp of Mahatma Gandhi to celebrate his birth centenary along with Albert John Luthuli (Zulu) who was a South African teacher, activist, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and politician. Niger issued stamps to show Apostles of Peace. Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, J. F Kennedy, etc can be seen in each stamp. Both the stamps have a similar layout.
Stamp of Uganda (1998)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
Uganda has issued several stamps honouring Mahatma Gandhi.
This one shows a portrait of him as a young man.
Uganda stamp (1997)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
Another Uganda stamp of light brown colour shows a portrait of Mahatma Gandhi as a much older man.
Uganda stamp (1997)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
Uganda also issued a stamp on the occasion of India’s then PM Inder Kumar Gujral’s visit to the country in 1997.
Stamp of Mozambique (2009)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
Mozambique has also issued various postal stamps with Gandhi images on it.
This stamp was released under the theme celebrities. Each stamp has Mahatma Gandhi with different elements that represent India.
Stamp of Mozambique (1997)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
Mozambique issued this stamp to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Indian Independence with M K Gandhi's portrait.
Stamp of Mozambique (2002)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
To pay tribute to the world’s Apostles of Peace like Mahatma Gandhi, Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II. Mozambique issued a stamp sheet.
Stamp of Malawi (2008)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
Malawi issued a stamp in memoriam of Mahatma Gandhi on his 60th death anniversary in 2008.
On the year of Mahatma Gandhi's birth centenary in 1996, Togo like many other countries issued stamps with his portrait on it.
Stamp of French: République Togolaise (2010)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
Another stamp by Togo to pay homage to the great man shows Mahatma Gandhi in different scenarios. For example- him on the Dandi March, him in London, etc.
Stamp of Madagaskar (1999)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
Madagascar issued a postal sheet with various famous people on it. The stamps have portraits of Mahatma Gandhi, Princess Diana and many others.
Stamp of Madagascar (1998)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
Madagascar issued another stamp sheet to celebrate the 50th Death Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Post card of South Africa, Pretoria (1995)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
Pretoria issued Postcards as a tribute to the great visionary. A beautiful image of Mahatma Gandhi with his wife Kasturba is seen as the cover.
Post card of South Africa, Pretoria (1995)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
Another postcard shows the Pietermaritzburg railway station in South Africa. It was here that M.K. Gandhi was pushed off the train and ‘Satyagraha was born’.
Chad and Mauritania issued a Mahatma Gandhi stamp along with other famous personalities on his birth centenary. Both the stamps have similar designs like that of Upper Volta & Niger earlier.
Stamp of Tchad (2004)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
Chad issued a sheetlet of postal stamps with similar portraits of Mahatma Gandhi on it in 2004.
Fake stamp of Tchad (1999)Original Source: The Collection of Mr. Surjit K. Das
In 1999, on the birth centenary of Mahatma Gandhi, several fake stamps were released for Chad. This stamp set is one of them.
