A freedom fighter to the end
NUMBER OF YEARS IN JAIL: 26. HIS PRISON NUMBER: 46864
Aselfless soul – the personification of humility – a freedom fighter to the very end. This is what embodied anti-apartheid struggle veteran and Rivonia trialist Ahmed Mohamed Kathrada who is no more.
Uncle Kathy, as he was warm-heartedly known in South Africa and across the world, had a remarkable influence in the struggle against the unjust system, refusing to allow its immorality and viciousness to dominate him.
His total number of years spent in jail: 26. His prison number: 46864. His service to his beloved country: unconditional. His witty character: priceless. Born on August 21, 1929, in Schweizer-Reneke, a small rural town 200km from Johannesburg, he once described it as a closeknit community.
As a young boy, and as a result of governmental policies at the time, Kathrada was not allowed into what was then known as “African” or “European” schools in the area, so he was moved to Johannesburg for an education.
It was here that a young Uncle Kathy was swayed by leaders in the Transvaal Indian Congress – among them Dr Yusuf Dadoo, IC Meer, Moulvi and Yusuf Cachalia, and JN Singh.
Kathrada became involved in politics as a 12-year-old. He later joined the non-racial youth club run by the Young Communist League.
Embracing his role, Uncle Kathy had taken part in various activities including the handing out of leaflets and performed volunteer duties in the passive resistance of the then Pegging Act of 1941.
This was the intention of government to “peg” Indian acquirement and occupation of land until further measures were introduced.
“He was part of 2 000 people who were arrested and imprisoned for defying a law that discriminated against Indians,” the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation said in the founder’s biography.
“In the ’40s Kathrada first met Congress leaders Walter Sisulu, Nelson Mandela, Meer and Singh.
“In 1951, Kathrada was selected to visit East Berlin to attend a youth festival jointly organised by the World Federation of Democratic Youth, and the International Union of Students. From there he visited Poland where the Auschwitz concentration camp left an indelible impression on him.
“Back home in 1952, Kathrada was in a group of 20, including Mandela and Sisulu who were sentenced
No Bread for Mandela: Memoirs of Ahmed Kathrada, Prisoner
In 1999 – Letters from Robben Island In 2004 – Memoirs In 2005 – A Free Mind: Ahmed Kathrada’s Notebook from Robben Island
In 2015 – Triumph of the Human Spirit, Ahmed Kathrada and Robben Island to nine months in prison with hard labour, suspended for two years for organising a Defiance Campaign against six apartheid laws.
“The campaign was jointly organised by the ANC and SA Indian Congress. In 1954, Kathrada was placed under restrictions by the Security Police and was arrested several times for breaking his ‘banning orders’.
“In 1956, he was among the 156 Congress activists and leaders charged with high treason. The trial continued for four years, after which all the accused were acquitted. Kathrada, Mandela and Sisulu were among the last 30 to be acquitted.”
While being on trial in 1960, the ANC and PAC were banned. In 1962, Kathrada was placed under house arrest.
The following year Kathrada broke his banning orders, and went underground to continue his political work. In July 1963, the police swooped on Liliesleaf Farm in Rivonia, a Johannesburg suburb where Kathrada and other banned persons had been meeting. It led to the infamous Rivonia Trial with eight struggle heroes, including Mandela, Kathrada,
Embracing his role, Uncle Kathy had partaken in various activities, including the handing out of leaflets and performed volunteer duties in the passive resistance of the then Pegging Act of 1941.
Govan Mbeki, Raymond Mhlaba, Denis Goldberg, Elias Motsoaledi and Andrew Mlangeni appearing. It was here that the trialists forged deeper friendships – with Uncle Kathy and Madiba gaining one which lasted a lifetime.
Uncle Kathy once described their friendship being filled with guidance and laughter. For him, Sisulu became his father and Madiba his elder brother in prison. He would later go on to deliver an emotional eulogy at the funeral of Madiba, who he referred to as “Madala”.
“I have lost a brother – I don’t know who to turn to,” he said. While in prison, Kathrada obtained four university degrees, including a BA in History and Criminology, B Bibliography in African Politics and Library Science, BA Honours in History and a BA Honours in African Politics. Soon after his release on October 15, 1989, the ANC was unbanned and at its first legal conference in South Africa, Kathrada was elected onto its National Executive Committee. Until 1994, he headed its public relations department. At its conference in 1997, Kathrada declined nomination to the National Executive Committee. At
I have lost a brother – I don’t know who to turn to
the dawn of democracy, Kathrada became political advisor to South Africa’s first black president, Mandela – in the post of parliamentary counsellor.
In 1992, Kathrada undertook the Haj pilgrimage to Mecca.
He was chairperson of the Robben Island Musuem Council until his term expired in 2006.
Kathrada leaves behind his wife, ANC activist Barbara Hogan, his comrades, friends and family.