Leading light goes out
Zuma a no-show at Kathrada memorial
ANTI-APARTHEID activist Ahmed Kathrada has been given a send-off fit for a king. Throngs of politicians arrived this morning at the Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg where Kathrada was laid to rest.
His coffin, draped in an ANC flag, arrived just after 10am.
As the coffin made its way into the marquee, politicians sang the popular struggle song, Hamba Kahle Mkhonto, with fellow Muslim men chanting prayers according to their religious customs.
Minutes before the official programme started, those in attendance were asked to stand up for the national anthem.
Notably missing was President Jacob Zuma. His office confirmed this morning that he would not be attending at the family’s request.
However, the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation chief executive, Neeshan Balton refuted this, saying no one in the family had asked the president not to attend.
The president said in a statement: “The nation has lost one of its valuable and most respected freedom fighters, Isithwalandwe, Mr Ahmed Mohamed Kathrada, one of the accused of the famous Rivonia Treason Trial.
“The passing of Mr Kathrada is a monumental loss not only to his family, but to all South Africans as he was one of the fearless and dedicated architects of the free and democratic South Africa. He sacrificed his personal freedom and persevered through hardships for the liberation of all South Africa and to create a democratic, non-racial, peaceful and prosperous South Africa.”
Today, Zuma postponed a cabinet meeting to allow ministers to attend the funeral.
At the funeral, former president Thabo Mbeki sat next to deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa with their wives.
Former president Kaglema Motlanthe was also present.
ANC stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela also sat in the front row next to EFF president Julius Malema. Graca Machel, former first lady, was also there.
The programme started with an inter-faith prayer session.
David Makhura, a member of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation and Gauteng premier, welcomed everyone.
Kathrada’s nephew Nazir Kathrada spoke on behalf of the Kath- rada family. He described “Uncle Kathy” as a gentle and loving soul and said he loved “Uncle Kathy’s wit and sense of humour”.
Nazir Kathrada also thanked former Public Enterprises minister and Kathrada’s widow, Barbara Hogan, for “coming into our family and being his companion and wife”.
Motlanthe delivered the eulogy. “On a day like this we should not mince words, we should say it like it is,” he said.
Motlanthe read out the letter that Kathrada wrote to the president, to share his disillusionment with the president. The audience cheered loudly when the section of the letter requesting Zuma step down was read out.
Other speakers included Kathrada’s long-time friends Laloo Chiba and Sophia Williams De Bruyn as well as Bheki Ntshalintshali, Cosatu general-secretary, Basic Education Minister Blade Nzimande and ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe.
Also present were several ministers as well as former AU Commission leader Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, together with Moeletsi Mbeki, Mac Maharaj, Ronnie Kasrils and Barbara Creecy.
Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, who returned prematurely to South Africa yesterday after being recalled by Zuma, was also present.
Nzimande said: “Comrade Kathy was an activist. It is unfortunate he leaves at a time where his wisdom is needed. He gave us the ANC. We dare not gamble with this movement. We don’t have many ANCs. We have one African National Congress. He also gave us the SACP.”
Mantashe said: “He was incorruptible. Not only in politics, but in his personal life.
“He was a man you knew could never let you down, do something behind your back or stab you in the back. You always knew where you stood with him. He belonged to a generation of heroes who made an impact.”
Meanwhile, tributes continued to pour in from various political parties.
Sihle Zikalala, ANC provincial chairperson and economic development MEC, said Kathrada’s death left “a void in society, and more particularly in the movement”.
“History will tell that Comrade Kathrada is one of those few who dedicated their lives to the struggle for liberation. (His) departure tells us that his generation is leaving us, but also we believe that as the younger generation, we have learnt a lot from their leadership.
“We need to ensure that we contribute meaningfully to the realisation of a truly non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous society.
“His humility and respect for all will live with us and should teach us to regard all people and afford respect to all people regardless of their stand in society,” he said.
The eThekwini Municipality’s executive committee (Exco) held a moment of silence before its meeting yesterday to pay tribute to the Struggle stalwart.
In another moving tribute, IFP leader Dr Mangosuthu Buthelezi said Kathrada began his activism at a young age, and continued to seek the best for South Africa into his twilight years.
“His letter to President Zuma, urging the president to submit to the will of the people, will be remembered as the act of a courageous patriot. It is evidence of the same courage that he showed during the Treason Trial and his subsequent incarceration for 26 years,” he said.
“I am grateful that this generation can draw on the wisdom and experience of Mr Kathrada, for his remarkable life and character have been captured in speeches, interviews and statements.”