Uncle Kathy laid to rest
FORMER president Kgalema Motlanthe laid bare the friction that pitted the anti-apartheid activist, Ahmed Kathrada, 87, against President Jacob Zuma, when he quoted the late stalwart’s letter in which he asked Zuma to resign.
Motlanthe was speaking at the funeral of the Struggle icon. He died on Tuesday after illness following surgery. He was burried at at Westpark Cemetery.
Kathrada wrote a scathing open letter to Zuma last March, asking him to step down following the Constitutional Court ruling that Zuma had failed to uphold, defend and respect the constitution regarding the Nkandla matter.
In his eulogy, Motlanthe said: “On a day like this, we should not mince words, we should say it like it is. What (Kathrada) and his political organisation stood for has forever enriched human experience. I would say we should take comfort from the immortality of the idea that defined his social existence, the idea of freedom.”
Motlanthe said it would be disingenuous to pay tribute to Kathrada and pretend he was not “deeply disturbed” by the state of post-apartheid politics.
Kathrada’s letter read: “I have always maintained a position of not speaking out publicly about any differences I may harbour against my leaders and my organisation, the ANC.
“Today, I have decided to break with that tradition. The position of president is one that must at all times unite this country behind a vision and programme that seeks to make tomorrow a better day than today for all South Africans. It is a position that requires the respect of all South Africans, which of course must be earned at all times…”
Motlanthe expressed his deep condolences to Kathrada’s wife, Barbara Hogan, and their family, saying that “during his lifetime Kathrada opened our eyes and saved us from the blindness of our hearts”.
The funeral was attended by many struggle veterans, including former president Thabo Mbeki. Zuma did not attend.
The Presidency earlier said Zuma’s absence was in compliance with the wishes of the Kathrada family. – ANA