Prayers for Kathrada
SHAKEN: COMRADES RALLY BEHIND ANTI-APARTHEID ACTIVIST TO GET WELL
‘We continue asking for your prayers, for Mr Kathrada, his family and friends.’
Family, friends and former colleagues streamed into the Donald Gordon Wits Medical Centre until late last night to pay their respects to their ailing comrade, Ahmed Kathrada.
This included Gauteng premier David Makhura and former premier Paul Mashatile.
Neeshan Balton of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation last night said the anti-apartheid activist’s condition “continued to deteriorate”.
“There are no time frames that are attached to this situation. He is comfortable and has the best possible care at the moment,” Balton said.
“He has been surrounded by friends, family and close comrades for the better part of today to express their support and well-wishes.
“He’s not conscious to acknowledge much of what they are saying, aside from flickering his eyes or holding their hands. He is in and out of consciousness.”
The Kathrada Foundation yesterday afternoon confirmed the 87-year-old was in a serious condition following the deterioration of his health in the last 24 hours.
The struggle veteran, affectionately known as Uncle Kathy, was hospitalised earlier this month for surgery for blood clotting in the brain.
Balton said Kathrada experienced several post-operation complications, rendering his condition serious.
Kathrada has contracted pneumonia, which has affected both his lungs.
Neeshan Balton Ahmed Kathrada Foundation
“He has contracted pneumonia, which has affected both his lungs,” Balton said.
The foundation will regularly keep the public informed through social media about Kathrada’s condition, he added.
“We continue asking for your prayers during this period, both for Mr Kathrada, his family and friends.”
The public were welcome to post their messages of support on the Foundation’s Facebook page.
“All of the messages that we have received will be collated and passed on to the family,” Balton said
Kathrada, a tireless activist for non-racialism and constitutionalism, is one of three Rivonia Trialists still alive today. The other two are Andrew Mlangeni and Denis Goldberg.
A prayer service is set to take place today at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, where an update will be provided on Kathrada’s health.
Family friend and executive director for the Miss Earth South Africa leadership programme Catherine Constantinides, speaking outside the hospital, said “Kathrada is a great man who has spent his entire life moving South Africa forward”.
“The next few hours are critical. We need South Africa to rally behind him, while respecting his privacy,” a concerned Constantinides said.