Ahmed Kathrada dies at 87
Kathrada has had an illustrious political career having served between 1994 and 1999 as the parliamentary counsellor to late President Nelson Mandela.
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation is deeply saddened to announce the passing on of ANC veteran Ahmed Kathrada (87) this morning, at the Donald Gordon Hospital in Johannesburg.
Kathrada passed away peacefully after a short period of illness, following surgery to the brain.
Neeshan Balton, Executive Director of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, confirmed that the anti-apartheid struggle veteran “breathed his last today”.
“This is a great loss to the ANC, the broader liberation movement and South Africa as a whole. Internationally, he was staunch in his support for the Palestinian struggle. ‘Kathy’ was an inspiration to millions in different parts of the world,” said Balton.
Kathrada Foundation Chairperson, Derek Hanekom, was overcome with emotion saying he has lost a “revolutionary mentor and dear friend”.
“Comrade Kathy was a gentle, humane and humble soul. He was a determined revolutionary who gave his entire life to the liberation struggle in our country,” he added.
Kathrada will be buried according to Muslim religious rights, details of which will be made publicly available in due course.
RIP Uncle Kathy. Your soul 2ill certainly be at Madiba's table. Thanks for your amazing foundation. #AhmedKathrada @akf_uj pic.twitter.com/HfSQWpUKsO
— David Klompas (@dave_klompas) March 28, 2017
Fellow Robben Island prisoner, Laloo ‘Isu’ Chiba (86) said that his comrade’s death has left a deep vacuum in his life.
“I have worked with Kathy for over sixty years. He has been my strength in prison, my guide in political life and my pillar of strength in the most difficult moments of my life. Now he is gone,” said a visibly shaken Chiba.
Kathrada has had an illustrious political career having served between 1994 and 1999 as the parliamentary counsellor to late President Nelson Mandela.
He was born on 21 August 1929 in rural Schweizer-Reneke and was introduced to politics as a young boy when he joined a non-racial youth club run by the Young Communist League.
At the tender age of 17, Kathrada participated in the 1946 Passive Resistance Campaign led by the South African Indian Congress. He was part of 2000 resisters who were arrested and imprisoned for defying a law that discriminated against Indian South Africans.
Kathrada is survived by his wife, Barbara Hogan, also an ANC stalwart and veteran.
Kathrada’s activism spanned a total of 75 years.
[WATCH] The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation's Zaakirah Vadi provides some reaction to the passing of #AhmedKathrada on #DStv 403 pic.twitter.com/KWRgliYZ4k
— eNCA (@eNCA) March 28, 2017
Ahmed Kathrada received the following awards:
- Honorary Degree, Central London Polytechnic, February 1986
- Honorary Degree, Canada University of Guelph, February, 1986
- “Isithwalandwe”, the highest award bestowed by the ANC, 1992
- Fellow of the Mayibuye Centre, University of the Western Cape, 1991
- The ANC’s Merit Award for Long Service
- Presidential Order for Meritorious Service Class 1: Gold, 1999
- Honorary Doctorate: University of Massachusetts, May 2000
- Honorary Doctorate: University of Durban-Westville
- 2002 Mahatma Gandhi Award by the Congress of Business and Economics, October 2003
- Doctorate of Humane Letters: University of Missouri, January 2004
- Voted 46th in the Top 100 Great South Africans, 2004
- Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award by President of India, January 2005
- Doctor of Humanities: Michigan State University, December 2005
- Recognition award of his sacrifices and outstanding contribution to democracy, constitutionalism and human rights in South Africa, Constitution Hill Trust, October 2009
- Kentucky State Award, April 2011
- Honorary Degree from Kentucky University, April 2011
- Honorary Doctorate: University of Kentucky, May 2011
- Freeman of the City of Johannesburg, August 2012
- Honorary Doctorate: University of the Witwatersrand, 2012
- Centenary Distinguished Leadership award from ANC Rivonia “Heroes” branch, March 2012
- Lifetime Achievement Award from the Oliver Transformation and Empowerment Awards, April 2014
- Founders Award by the Asian Awards, April 2014
- Medal of the Prefecture of Reunion Island and honorary citizenship from the city of Le Port, August 2014
- Chevalier de l’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur from the French Government, Bastille Day 2015
- City of Cape Town’s Freeman of the City, August 2015
- Doctor of Law, University of Cape Town, June 2015
- Freedom of Sedibeng Region, January 2016
- Freedom of the City of London, January 2016
- Honorary Doctorate: Durban University of Technology, April 2016
- Desmond Tutu Social Justice Award from South Africa Partners (Boston USA), May 2016
- Ad Portas’ most prestigious award honouring South African heroes from Michealhouse, October 2016
- South African Men of Year Awards: Honoured Legend, 2016
Books by and about Kathrada include:
1999 – Letters from Robben Island
2004 – Memoirs
2005 – A Free Mind: Ahmed Kathrada’s Notebook from Robben Island
2008 – A Simple Freedom
2009 – Dear Ahmedbhai, Dear Zuleikhabehn
2015: Triumph of the Human Spirit – Ahmed Kathrada and Robben Island
2017: Conversations with a Gentle Soul
