World, Africa

South Africa's anti-apartheid hero laid to rest

President Zuma does not attend Ahmed Kathrada funeral after family asks him to stay away

29.03.2017 - Update : 30.03.2017
South Africa's anti-apartheid hero laid to rest FILE PHOTO - South African activist Ahmed Kathrada

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG

Former South African anti-apartheid hero Ahmed Kathrada was laid to rest at the Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

Kathrada died on Tuesday aged 87 after a short illness, according to a statement issued by his foundation.

He was among eight African National Congress (ANC) campaigners, including Nelson Mandela who were sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964 for attempting to overthrow the then apartheid government.

Kathrada spent 26 years in prison, 18 of which were on Robben Island, where his friend and former South African President Nelson Mandela was also jailed.

His casket, draped in the ANC flag, was carried from his house to a nearby mosque in Houghton, a suburb of Johannesburg where Muslim funeral prayers were held.

The body was later transported in a convoy of vehicles to the Westpark Cemetery a few kilometers away.

Representatives of different faith groups said prayers for the ANC struggle stalwart who began his political career at the age of 17.

“We should renew our commitment for values that Kathrada stood for such as non-racialism, anti-xenophobia and honesty, among others,” Moulana Ebrahim Bham, secretary-general of the Council of Muslim Scholars, said.

Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba also echoed a similar message appealing to South Africans to emulate Kathrada’s noble values.

President Jacob Zuma did not attend the funeral in accordance with the wishes of the Kathrada family.

Last year, Kathrada called on Zuma to resign following a series of corruption scandals against him. Kathrada’s widow Barbara Hogan and several of his friends are known for being staunch critics of Zuma.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa had led a government delegation at the funeral.

On Tuesday, Zuma declared an official state funeral for the hero and directed that flags be flown at half-mast until Wednesday evening.

Speaking at the funeral, ANC Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe described Kathrada as an honest and incorruptible man.

Former President Kgalema Motlanthe also praised Kathrada for his commitment to the struggle against apartheid.

Motlanthe also used the opportunity to warn the ruling ANC it might soon disappear from the political scene if it did not carry out self-reflection from time to time.

The ANC has in the recent past been marred by several scandals of alleged corruption, factionalism and favoritism.

Other dignitaries who attended the funeral included former President Thabo Mbeki, late Nelson Mandela’s widows, Graca Machel and Winnie Mandela among others.

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