When all the broken-hearted people living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be
And when the night is cloudy there is still a light that shines on me
Shine until tomorrow, let it be. - The Beatles
Well-known South African business leader Bobby Godsell delivered a keynote address at the Annual Ahmed Kathrada Foundation event in Lenasia in 2013 that was attended by the late Mr Ahmed Kathrada.
Godsell said back then: “Each day each of us, by means of our words and deeds, endorse the leadership ethic we admire, promote and reward; not only in politics and labour, indeed also in civil society and the media.”
I am convinced that Godsell also looks back (like me) today, reflecting on the past four years, and will agree with the wise words he said back then.
He continued, and referred to Kathrada by saying: “lf we look for a leader whose energy and interests serve a vision, a cause, a goal bigger than him or herself, then that is the kind of leadership that builds social movements, union movements, great companies and indeed great countries.”
Read also: Tributes pour in for Struggle hero Ahmed Kathrada
Kathrada found it painful to write an open letter to the President, his comrade, recently, when he felt it important to remind President Zuma that the position of president is one that must at all times unite this country behind a vision and programme that seeks to make tomorrow a better day than today for all South Africans.
“It is a position that requires the respect of all South Africans, which of course must be earned at all times.”
Kathrada ended his letter to the president with a paraphrase of the famous MK slogan of the time - “There comes a time in the life of every nation when
it must choose to submit or fight.”
One of his famous quotes: “In death, you once more challenge people from every strata, religion, and position to think about how their own actions do and can change the world for better or worse.” - Ahmed Kathrada
The people of South Africa discovered light in 1994.
We can rediscover it now.
Rest in Peace Uncle Kathy.