Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 30-03-2017
While thousands attended the funeral of struggle stalwart Ahmed Kathrada, a professor at the University of the Free State has penned a sentiment of the proceedings which highlights the diversity of South Africa.
Ahmed Kathrada known to many simply as Uncle Kathy passed away on Monday morning following brain surgery.
He was laid to rest yesterday at the West Park Cemetery in Johannesburg.
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, former President Thabo Mbeki, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and freedom fighter Winnie Madikizela-Mandela joined other dignitaries in paying their last respects.
The dignitaries praised Kathrada for his humility and commitment to the struggle, but it was a comment by Professor Jonathan Jensen who emphasized the diversity of the funeral.
“Show me another country where the Anglican Archbishop prays at a Muslim funeral; where a white man chairs the proceedings to remember a leader from a black liberation movement; where a sitting president of a developing country is told to step down in a letter from the deceased stalwart of his own party; where the widow of the black man being buried is a white woman who gave her life to the struggle for freedom; and where Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and other faiths come together in a broad swathe of South African humanity to remember a man who fought for all of us. Where on and off the stage no one racial or ethnic or religious group dominated the event. For a moment, just a moment, it felt good to hope again.”
Earlier at his funeral service Kgalema Mothlante was given a standing ovation when he quoted Uncle Kathy’s letter to President Jacob Zuma asking him to resign.
President Jacob Zuma did not attend the memorial service and funeral in compliance with the wishes of the stalwart’s family.
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