EDITORIAL: Ahmed Kathrada stood for integrity
Of all the Rivonia Triallists and ANC stalwarts, Kathrada is singularly identified with the philosophy of nonracialism
The death of much-loved freedom fighter Ahmed Kathrada at a time when SA’s politics are in turmoil — his organisation the ANC, which he served with integrity and courage, rent apart by greed and corruption — is a sad and poignant moment. SA has lost a man whose life embodied love and sacrifice for others; a man who stood up against evil and who spoke out against injustices, both in the days of apartheid and after. These are qualities that are rare among political leaders in any country and at any point in history. They are qualities that are rare among human beings. Like Nelson Mandela, his close friend and comrade, it is tempting to view Kathrada as saintly, so outstanding was his commitment to humanity and to justice. Unlike Mandela, however, Kathrada’s greatness came less from brilliance and rather from his ordinariness: his compassion for ordinary people and our shared humaneness. These are great gifts that we have received as a nation and that can be imparted to future generati...
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