#UncleKathy: South Africa pays tribute to struggle giant Ahmed Kathrada

Ahmed Kathrada's Birthday Celebration south africa
Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe attending Ahmed Kathrada's Birthday concert (in the Picture left Sophie De Ruyn, Ahmed Kathrada, Kgalema Motlanthe and Laloo Isu Chiba) at Lyric Theatre in Goldreef City.24/08/2013

Ahmed Kathrada, known as one of Nelson Mandela’s closest allies and a defiant anti-apartheid activist, has died aged 87.

The news broke on Twitter in the early hours of Tuesday morning, when the Kathrada Foundation tweeted that its namesake “has passed on”.

Kathrada, or Uncle Kathy as many referred to him, was born in the North West town of Schweizer-Reneke in 1929. He was imprisoned with Nelson Mandela at Pollsmoor and Robben Island after the Rivonia Trial.

He was released in 1990, and served in the Mandela administration. A more detailed depiction of Kathrada’s storied life can be read in this excellent summary by eNCA.

Ahmed Kathrada death on Tuesday shocked South Africans close to him and inflenced by his legacy

A number of politicians took to Twitter to wish Kathrada well, following the news of his deteriorating condition.

But these well wishes turned to tributes. Condolences poured in following the news, with many politicians first and foremost taking to Twitter. Many used the hashtag #UncleKathy, which remains a trending topic in South Africa at the time of writing.

“We lower our revolutionary banners as we both mourn and celebrate a giant of our times,” the ANC’s Gauteng branch tweeted.

President Jacob Zuma announced that Ahmed Kathrada will be buried on Wednesday and will be honoured with a Special Official ceremony.

Feature image: GovernmentZA via Flickr (CC 2.0, resized)

Andy Walker, former editor
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