Ahmed Kathrada, who passed away this week, was a gentleman in the true sense of the word. Like his great friend Nelson Mandela, he never allowed the violence he experienced during his life to warp his humour or embitter his soul. That is what emerges most strongly from Conversations with a Gentle Soul, which was the result of numerous discussions with his longtime friend Sahm Venter. His dazzling smile, twinkling eyes and spontaneous laughter were evident at one of the last times he was seen in public — at the recent launch of this, his sixth book. Kathrada was in London with Venter in 2010 at the international launch of Nelson Mandela’s book, Conversations with Myself, when iconic British publishers Blackwell persuaded him to produce this book along with her. SA’s reading public is fortunate to have two conversations with its great leaders — recording their wisdom and humaneness — which is sorely needed in a time of political turmoil. The argument that finally persuaded Kathrada to...
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