Of all of South Africa’s anti-apartheid leaders, Ahmed Kathrada has a special significance for this region and the global struggle against racism. Kathrada was a tireless champion for Palestinian rights. He died yesterday morning in Johannesburg at 87.
Born in 1929 to Indian immigrant parents in South Africa, Kathrada became one of the icons of the African National Congress (ANC). He was tried alongside Nelson Mandela at the Rivonia trial in 1964 and subsequently spent 26 years in jail on Robben Island alongside fellow ANC luminaries such as Walter Sisulu.
After apartheid ended in the 1990s, he become one of the most passionate South African voices for Palestine. Through his foundation, Kathrada helped publicise the Palestinian call for a boycott of Israel and highlighted the daily oppression of Palestinians under Israeli occupation. Above all else, Ahmed Kathrada dedicated his life to eradicating racism and inequality. We have lost a noble warrior for this cause.