Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 28-03-2017
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation has confirmed that Anti-Apartheid struggle stalwart Ahmed Kathrada has died at the age of 87.
Kathrada born on 21 August 1929 in rural Schweizer-Reneke who was the one of the Rivonia trialist’s passed away at the Donald Gordhan Hospital in Johannesburg early on Tuesday 28 March 2017.
Kathrada was hospitalised in Johannesburg earlier this month for surgery related to blood clotting on the brain.
His condition worsened in the past 24 hours due to pneumonia in the lungs which developed after the operation.
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundations Neeshan Balton says the stalwart passed away peacefully in his sleep.
“The Kathrada Foundation sadly announces that Mr. Kathrada has passed away this morning and he passed away very peacefully after having undergone an operation almost three weeks ago. In his last few days he contracted pneumonia on both of his lungs and with all of the other complications, he succumbed to all of these complications early this morning.”
Kathrada Foundation Chairperson, Derek Hanekom, was overcome with emotion saying he has lost a “revolutionary mentor and dear friend”.
“Comrade Kathy was a gentle, humane and humble soul. He was a determined revolutionary who gave his entire life to the liberation struggle in our country.”
Fellow Robben Island prisoner, 86-year-old Laloo ‘Isu’ Chiba says that his comrade’s death has left a deep vacuum in his life.
“I have worked with Kathy for over sixty years. He has been my strength in prison, my guide in political life and my pillar of strength in the most difficult moments of my life. Now he is gone.”
Kathrada has had an illustrious political career having served between 1994 and 1999 as the parliamentary counsellor to late President Nelson Mandela.
Kathrada will be buried according to Muslim religious rights, details of which will be made publicly available in due course.
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