Kathrada’s legacy in a work book

The first part of the manual, focuses on his life choices, then anti-racism and activism

INSPIRED by late Rivonia trialist and Struggle veteran Ahmed Kathrada, the Kathrada Foundation has launched a manual to inspire young people, drawing on lessons of leadership, anti-racism and activism.

Titled Igniting Your Power – Change Starts with Youth the workbook was launched days after Kathrada would have celebrated his 89th birthday, on August 21.

Former minister Barbara Hogan was the guest speaker at the launch, which took place at Constitution Hill at the weekend.

About 100 youth were taken through the first part of the manual, focusing on Kathrada’s life choices.

The next sections on anti-racism and activism training will be facilitated at a later stage.

The project is part of work around Kathrada’s centenary in 2029, when the Kathrada Foundation aims to have 100 youth clubs established as part of his legacy.

The foundation’s executive director, Neeshan Balton, said: “In the current climate of instability, growing restlessness, heightened racial tensions and the rise of the global right, we cannot afford to ignore that legacy or not draw lessons from it.

“The society envisioned by the Kathrada generation is something that we – and especially young people – ought to continue striving for.

“In essence, we have to pick up the cudgels where the Kathrada and Mandela generation left off.

“We eventually decided that the best way to honour Kathrada’s 100 years, would be to establish 100 community youth clubs in various areas over the next 10 years leading up to 2029,” said Balton.

Balton said they are starting in areas closest to where they are based in Lenasia, Lawley and Thembelihle.

“We’re looking at establishing 10 clubs a year up to the centenary.

‘‘Having community youth clubs enables young people – who will still go through an intensive activism course – to champion local issues, and at the same time build links across all sorts of barriers in the pursuit of common goals,” Balton said.

To donate online to the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation’s youth programme, click https://www.givengain.com/ cc/kathradayouthclubs/