A man for all seasons: Kathrada celebrated in documentary film

A public screening of a documentary feature film on struggle veteran Ahmed Kathrada was hosted by the Kathrada Foundation at Museum Africa on March 20.

A Man for All Seasons was premiered in Durban, before the special tribute to Kathrada was showcased to a Johannesburg audience.

The film commemorated the anniversary of his 25th year release from prison on October 5, 1989 after 26 years of incarceration.

The Kathrada Foundation said in a statement: “The film, produced by Anant Singh, follows Mr. Kathrada on his extraordinary life journey as an activist, a Rivonia trialist, a prisoner on Robben Island to his present day activities, including the founding of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation to continue his legacy as a lifelong activist for social justice. Featured in the film are exclusive interviews with his political mentors; fellow Rivonia trialists including Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and Denis Goldberg; fellow Robben Island prisoners and close friends and colleagues.”

Many struggle legends and stalwarts attended the event, such as former minister and fellow Robben Islander Sbu Ndebele, former Constitutional Court judge Lewis Skweyiya, retired High Court Judge Thumba Pillay; Ela Gandhi, Swaminathan Gounden, Gcina Mhlope and Sam Ramsamy, as well as a host of struggle activists.

The exhibition offered a personal insight into the veteran leader, portraying the person, his sense of humour, his love of food, his many, many friends and comrades, his meticulous notes and his incredible memory.

Kathrada’s artefacts and letters from Robben Island were also on display.