/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The SACP has received with extreme sadness the news of the passing away of struggle stalwart, Isitwalandwe/Seaparankoe Cde Ahmed “Kathy” Kathrada who passed away at the age of 87. The SACP extends its heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and comrades of Cde Kathrada.

Cde Kathrada dedicated his life to fighting injustice and since he became an activist at the tender age of 17 he diligently and selflessly excelled at this task. He was exemplary in many respects with how he approached the revolutionary task at hand.

Cde Kathrada was imprisoned as part of the Rivonia Trialists which included amongst others Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Andrew Mlangeni, Wilton Mkwayi, Elias Motsoaledi, Raymond Mhlaba and Denis Goldberg. In the post-democratic dispensation he served as Parliamentary Counsellor for the first democratic President of South Africa, Cde Nelson Mandela.

Cde Kathrada’s life can best be summed up by the words of Che Guevera “if you tremble indignation at every injustice then you are a comrade of mine”. Cde Kathrada hated injustice in every aspect it reared its ugly head and hence once South Africa attained her freedom he dedicated his life to the struggle for justice internationally. He campaign tirelessly for the freedom of the people of Palestine.

In his honour we ought to focus our organisational renewal efforts to inculcate amongst the members of the movement broadly the values that Cde Kathrada represented. We need to deepen our resolve to continue the struggle to end poverty and want, diseases, illiteracy, lack of housing and intensify the fight against corruption and the crisis of corruption impunity currently threatening the unity of our broad movement and society.

Comrade Kathy was an example of humility, full of revolutionary example of selfless service to the people and he lives a lasting legacy to be emulated by all of us particularly the youth of our country that he dedicated his life for their well being.

May his undying legacy live on and his fighting spirit thrive forever!

Issued by the SACP