A fitting send-off
QUOTES KATHRADA’S LETTER TO JZ
‘He found current South African leadership wanting on many fronts.’
The funeral for ANC stalwart Ahmed Kathrada yesterday focused on the political values that he dedicated his life to. Former president Kgalema Motlanthe started his speech by saying: “On a day like this, we should not mince our words … we should say it like it is. It would be disingenuous to pay tribute to the life of comrade Kathrada and pretend that he was not deeply disturbed by the current post-apartheid failure of politics.
“In this regard, we need not put words into his mouth ex post facto or posthumously since, true to his consistent principles, he penned a public letter to the president of our country in which he gave vent to his views about the state in which our nation finds itself. In parts his letter reads: ‘I have always maintained a position of not speaking out publicly about any difference I may harbour against my leaders and my organisation, the ANC. I would only have done so when I thought that some important organisational matters compel me to raise my concerns.’”
Motlanthe continued to quote from Kathrada’s letter, which said: “And bluntly, if not arrogantly, in the face of such persistently widespread criticism, condemnation and demand, is it asking too much to express the hope that you will choose the correct way that is gaining momentum, to consider stepping down?”
Motlanthe said he quoted Kathrada at length to make the point that what he stood for had never changed. He said Kathrada held on to the immutable laws of history in so far as they were prescriptive of what is best for human life.
“Comrade Kathy took exception to the current culture of a feeding frenzy, moral corruption, societal depravity, political dissolution, the gross and sleaze enveloping human mind that would put to shame even some of the vilest political orders known to human history. He found current South African political leadership wanting on the many fronts that he mentions in his letter and could not hesitate to call for the resignation of the president of the country with whom the buck stops,” he said to resounding applause from most mourners.
While Motlanthe was speaking, some people shouted “down Zuma, down”. The dignitaries who rose and clapped included Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi and Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema, while struggle stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela smiled and clapped on a number of occasions.
Motlanthe warned that the ANC might disappear off the face of the earth if it failed to self-reflect on its character and soul as a governing party.
On behalf of the SA Communist Party, general secretary Blade Nzimande said it was unfortunate that Kathrada had left when he was most needed, while Gauteng Premier David Makhura called on all current leaders to listen to the struggle stalwarts when they raised issues.
ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said there was nothing stopping the veterans from walking into Luthuli House (ANC headquarters) to talk to the current leadership. –