DA’s Michael Sun and EFF’s Spetlele Raseruthi pay tribute to Ahmed Kathrada

Region A political leaders have responded to the death of struggle stalwart Ahmed Kathrada who passed away on 28 March at the Wits University Donald Gordon Medical Centre, after a short illness.

ANC chief whip in Region A, councillor Lesiba Lamola of the ANC said they were very shocked and believe that the neighbouring countries are also shocked.

Kathrada was one of the three remaining Rivonia trialists.

“We are so sad and it will touch the entire ANC and the alliance. We believe wherever he is he will meet with the likes of Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Oliver Tambo and Lillian Ngoyi and I believe he will ifnd an ANC branch there and join it,” he said.

DA’s Member of the Mayoral Committee responsible for Region A, councillor Michael Sun said Kathrada’s passing was a great loss, not only to the City but also to the nation. “What he has done for our country and brought us together as a nation is something accomplished by few in our midst, only great ones like Mandela… have liberated the people,” he said.

“Whilst we mourn his passing, we must celebrate what he has achieved as a person, for his family and for us as a nation.”

Sun added that the youth of today need to always bear in mind that that type of selflessness and sacrifice is what it takes to build a great nation.

Chairperson of EFF in Region A, Spetlele Raseruthi said, as a region, they have lost someone who had seen the direction in terms of the leadership of this country. “Ahmed Kathrada was one of the veterans who politely asked President Jacob Zuma to follow the will of the people and resign, and for that, we have lost a true veteran. He will join the likes of Chris Hani and Peter Mokaba and all those who died believing in the genuine cause of total emancipation, which we wish other living veterans could follow.”

Edited by Beryl Knipe

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