Norwood CPF chairperson pays tribute to Ahmed Kathrada
NORWOOD – Chairperson of the Norwood CPF Wandile Yani shares his thoughts on the life of Ahmed Kathrada.
With the recent passing of anti-apartheid activist and struggle veteran, Ahmed Kathrada, chairperson of the Norwood Community Policing Forum Wandile Yani shared some of his memories of Kathrada and what he stood for.
According to the foundation, Kathrada passed away peacefully after a short illness, following surgery to the brain.
Read: Funeral details of the late Ahmed Kathrada
Yani, who personally knew Kathrada, said he saw him two months before his hospital admission to organise work with the Kathrada Foundation.
With the announcement of his passing, Yani said, “Comrade Ahmed Kathrada’s greatest achievement is love. He lost all his youth for his love of people and our country. I learned a lot from comrade Kathrada, more importantly, his calm demeanour, his lack of greed and dishonesty.”
Yani said he considered Kathrada a father figure to the nation and stayed close to his people.
“I remember a funny story he told me about when he was sentenced to Robben Island. At the time, black prisoners were not allowed to have bread in prison. So, as an Indian, he brought bread to prison to share with all the other struggle leaders.
“He told me that he struggled to eat and preferred to give bread to Govan Mbeki and the other prisoners. Long story short, it led to him being forced to eat by Govan Mbeki,” said Yani.
Yani said that one of the last conversations he had with Kathrada focused on the great sadness he felt regarding the current state of politicians. “He never knew why people in government refused to use VW Golfs or something cheaper as cars. They demanded Mercedes-Benzes or other luxury cars. Rather helping themselves than their people.”
Read: Ahmed Kathrada, one of the last three Rivonia Trialists, has died
Yani said that Kathrada will remain a symbol for future generations of young South Africans fighting for human rights.
Edited by Stacey Woensdregt
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