Ahmed Kathrada: a life committed to the struggle

Abstract

Ahmed Mohamed Kathrada, who was known as Kathy, is one of those singular individuals whose entire life was given to the liberation struggle, from his very first political action at the age of 12 right up to his death on 27 March 2017 after a long illness. He personified the principles of steward leadership and, as Kgalema Mothlanthe said at his funeral, he opened [our eyes] forever, and saved us from the blindness of the heart. Along with countless men and women of a higher order of consciousness with whom he cast his lot in pursuance of deep ideals, comrade Kathy helped unleash human possibilities." Of his time on Robben Island, Walter Sisulu wrote: "Kathy was a tower of strength and a source of inspiration to many prisoners, both young and old.