‘Ailing’ Kathrada ‘hanging on’ as friends, family visit hospital

Family, friends and former colleagues streamed into the Donald Gordon Wits Medical Centre until late Monday night to pay their respects to their ailing comrade, Ahmed Kathrada.

This included Gauteng Premier David Makhura former Premier Paul Mashatile.

Neeshan Balton of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation said in the evening that Kathrada’s condition remains as it was “at the time when we released our statement”, “… We expect his condition will continue to deteriorate.

“There are no time frames that are attached to this. He is comfortable and he has the best possible care at the moment. He was surrounded by friends, family and close comrades for the better part of today to express their support and well wishes,” Balton said.

“He is not conscious to acknowledge much of what they are saying, aside from flickering his eyes or holding their hands. He is in and out of consciousness.”

Kathrada’s Foundation on Monday afternoon in a statement confirmed that the 87-year-old was in a serious condition, following the deterioration of his health in the last 24 hours

The struggle veteran affectionately known as “Uncle Kathy” was hospitalised earlier this month for surgery for blood clotting on the brain.

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation’s Balton said Kathrada experienced several post-operation complications, rendering his condition serious.

“Kathrada has contracted pneumonia, which has affected both his lungs,” Balton said.

“Despite appropriate medical care, his condition is deteriorating. He is currently comfortable.”

The Foundation will keep the public informed through social media on a regular basis about Kathrada’s condition, he added.

“We continue asking for your prayers during this period, both for Mr Kathrada and his family and friends.”

The public were welcome to post their messages of support on the Foundation’s Facebook page.

“All of the messages that we have received will be collated and passed on to the family,” Balton said

Kathrada, is a tireless activist for non-racialism and Constitutionalism, is one of three Rivonia Trialists still alive today. The other two are Andrew Mlangeni and Denis Goldberg.

A prayer service is expected to take place on Tuesday at the Nelson Mandela Foundation where an update will be provided on his health.

Close family friend Executive Director for the Miss Earth South Africa Leadership Programme Catherine Constantinides, speaking outside the hospital, said Kathrada was a great man who spent his entire life moving South Africa forward.

“Uncle Kathy is comfortable, and right now we need South Africa to pray. We need lots of positive energy.

“We have to remember he is a great icon of our country and we are left with a great responsibility that sees us having to carry this forward,” she said.

The next few hours are critical. It’s a very critical time and we need South Africa to rally behind him while respecting his privacy…”

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