Kathrada suffers health setbacks
Outpouring of support for ‘Uncle Kathy’
STRUGGLE veteran Ahmed Kathrada remains bedridden in hospital. The latest information about the recovery of the anti-apartheid stalwart said it was “slower than hoped”.
The Rivonia triallist has been in hospital since March 4, when he had surgery relating to blood clotting on the brain. He has “experienced several health-related setbacks making the prognosis of his illness unpredictable,” said Neeshan Balton, director of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation.
He said doctors were doing everything to assist the anti-apartheid veteran recover.
“He (Kathrada) remains in hospital with everything being done to assist his recovery,” Balton said, and since then the recuperation process had remained unchanged.
Kathrada, a tireless activist for non-racialism and constitutionalism, is one of three Rivonia trialists still alive today; the other two being Andrew Mlangeni and Denis Goldberg.
Balton also expressed gratitude to the public who have, in various ways, wished Kathrada well.
“We are deeply grateful for the immense support from the public. We are thankful for the various prayer meetings, vigils and messages of support that continue pouring in. The messages of support from both within South Africa and abroad are a reminder of how Kathrada has, and continues to, inspire so many.”
On Friday, more than 1000 pupils from Tongaat schools attended a vigil at the Shree Veeraboga Temple to pray for the icon.
Speaking at a packed temple on Friday, which coincided with the Anti-racism Week programmes, circuit education manager Selvan Chetty thanked Kathrada for his role in the Struggle.
“We wish him a speedy recovery after tremendous sacrifices that he made for us to enjoy this freedom,” Chetty said.
A Grade 11 pupil, Jeffrey Maran, said the event taught him to treat others equally.
“It is not skin colour, but humanity that matters,” he said.
Former ethekwini speaker Logie Naidoo reminded the pupils of the Sharpeville massacre in 1960 and how students stood up against apartheid in the 1976 uprising.
“They made sacrifices for us to live in a free, democratic country.
“You, as the young generation, must always remember that.
“Today you have all the opportunities.”