Uncle Kathy, we praise you

EVER AT the forefront of the fight against racism, Ahmed Kathrada will be remembered for his staunch activism, even into the winter of his life. Just a year ago, he, through the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, threw his weight behind Independent Media’s Racism Stops With Me campaign, at the same time as his organisation joined the Anti-Racism Network of South Africa.

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation would often be the first to react to incidents of racism, condemning not only the acts, but also preaching unity, nation-building, equality and the need for South Africa to take a long, introspective look at itself and recognise the need to heal the wounds of the past.

Uncle Kathy – at the tender age of 12 – joined the Young Communist League of South Africa.

DURING World War II Kathrada, like so many black South Africans, questioned why people without rights should support the war effort of South African prime minister Jan Smuts.

Feisty, funny, a highly effective organiser, the person who got things done – Kathrada was all this, and more. He was never afraid to stand up for what he believed was right. Some of his early exchanges with Nelson Mandela, who would later become his great friend, were spoken about by others, and even Mandela himself, with great respect years later.

Through it all, Uncle Kathy remained humble, commenting to the Cape Argus in 2015 that he never considered Madiba to be his friend, for he was not worthy of that honour, and Mandela was his “senior by 11 years” and commanded respect. Uncle Kathy regarded Madiba as a mentor.

Today, we salute this humble servant of South Africa and say, Uncle Kathy, you are worthy of praise.

Standing shoulder to shoulder with Madiba, Walter Sisulu, Oliver Tambo and other great forefathers of this nation, we pray that your moral compass will continue to guide us into the future.