‘Uncle Kathy walked the talk’ – Zenani Mandela
DIGNITARIES who included ANC Struggle stalwarts gathered at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg yesterday to remember the life and times spent with their fellow icon Ahmed Kathrada.
They included Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Sophie de Bruyn, George Bizos and Barbara Masekela.
De Bruyn related anecdotes from when she met Kathrada for the first time in the 1950s in Johannesburg. As an activist, she was tasked with organising programmes against the apartheid government on behalf of coloured people.
Kathrada was a humble and generous man, said De Bruyn.
“We were accommodated as the Coloured Congress by the Indian Congress at its building in Johannesburg.
“I remember working from a basement with others, seeing Comrade Kathy discuss politics and interact with us.
“He united the coloureds and Indians, it was hard for us to organise during those days as we did not have money, the ANC did not have money… but our Indian comrades accommodated us because we all fought against one system.”
Kathrada had a sense of humour and was well connected and knew a lot of people across all racial lines, she said.
Masekela said Kathrada, fondly known as “Uncle Kathy”, was selflessly committed to the Struggle against apartheid. Her interaction with Kathrada started at the then New Age newspaper, founded in 1954 by trade unionists, academics and publishing the plight of the oppressed black majority.
“I got a job in the subscriptions department. Ruth First was the editor. That is where I met comrade Kathy. Whenever I saw him I would remind him how handsome he was, how aloof and serious he was… we were teenagers working at the newspaper and we could not believe that anyone could be that serious. We tried to imagine what his private life was like and we couldn’t because he was just someone who was single-mindedly devoted to the Struggle,” she said.
The newspaper was “a paper for the people” and told the public what was happening in the fight for independence movements across the continent, she said.
“I want young people to go and read about the New Age on the internet. All other papers were talking about the rapes and riots and so on, but the New Age put everything into perspective that we cannot look at ourselves as apart from the rest of the world.
“Comrade Kathy, Nelson Mandela and others showed us that we are part of the human race… they helped us to see ourselves as human beings first, and that nothing would work until we have a non-racist, non-sexist and democratic South Africa.”
She and her young colleagues had their first glimpse of icons such as First, Govan Mbeki and Kathrada, among many others, who came into the newspaper offices arguing and discussing issues.
Masekela said she wished the Struggle hero had died during a better and much happier period for the country.
“It is an empty wish, but I wish I could say that he was smiling about South Africa when he left us, but it is not so. I think all his actions in the last years illustrated his disappointment at the outcome, but as a soldier he continued striving for a better life.”
Bizos, who was part of the legal team representing the Rivonia Treason Trial accused, said Kathrada was steadfast and would not reveal any information about his co-accused to the State.
“He refused to point out anything done or said by the other accused, as the State tried to get him on side. He was smart, and once told a prosecutor to not expect him to say anything that would help him to get a conviction against his fellow comrades,” said Bizos.
Zenani Mandela broke down into tears as she remembered her father’s friendship with Kathrada.
“He was my dad’s best friend, brother and confidant. He was my other father…
“I have the fondest memories of him. He was ever gentle and open.
“Uncle Kathy is one of the last generation who fought so vehemently for the liberation of our country and still managed to practise what they preached… walked the talk.
“I call on everyone of us to never forget the sacrifices they made,” she said.
Kathrada, 87, died yesterday at Donald Gordon Hospital in Johannesburg after a short illness following brain surgery.
President Jacob Zuma has declared a “special official funeral”, to be held today in accordance with Muslim religious rites.
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa would lead the send-off of the stalwart on behalf of the government. – ANA