Bonteheuwel pupils benefit from Uncle Kathy's wisdom

Cape Town 22-08-16 Ahmed Mohamed "Kathy" Kathrada visits Bonteheuwel High School for his Birthday Picture Brenton Geach

Cape Town 22-08-16 Ahmed Mohamed "Kathy" Kathrada visits Bonteheuwel High School for his Birthday Picture Brenton Geach

Published Aug 23, 2016

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STRUGGLE stalwart Ahmed Kathrada says the youth should be mindful of the responsibility they have to themselves, their family and country, and make use of the opportunities afforded them.

Uncle Kathy, as he is fondly known, was celebrating his 87th birthday with pupils from Bonteheuwel High School 
yesterday.

“I feel as young as all the young people here,” a jovial Kathrada said to pupils. Kathrada turned 87 on Sunday.

This is the same school young martyr and freedom fighter Ashley Kriel attended.

Kriel’s sisters, Michel Assure and Melanie Adams, attended along with Nadine Cloete, producer of a documentary on Kriel’s life, Action Kommandant.

The pupils asked Kathrada about life on Robben Island and where the beloved nickname Uncle Kathy – given to him by a teacher who could not pronounce his name – came from.

“Although it's nice to be remembered, and we do get messages, in addition to messages I do prefer sweets and cake. Fortunately, I got enough of that also,” Kathrada said.

“Young people must enjoy themselves. There are a lot of things you can do which we were not allowed to before.

“When we grew up, for people who were not white, you could only become a teacher or a nurse. Gradually, things opened up. A handful of people became doctors or lawyers, but many of them had to go abroad to get that.

"You've got all these facilities open now, and the future of this country rests on you folks. By all means, take
advantage of youth, but never forget that with youth comes responsibility. To yourselves, to your parents and to your country. Never forget that,” Kathrada said.

Adams, thanked Kathrada for honouring the school and community of Bonteheuwel.

“I wish to thank so many others, so many fallen who have sacrificed for our struggle. Ashley is one of many,” she said.

With the youth being South Africa's future leaders, families should encourage them, support them and show them the way forward, Adams said.

Pupil Lincoln Perrang, 17, said Kathrada’s visit was a special moment for the 
school.

“It means a lot to the community. We have issues like gangsterism and people who are struggling.

“As youth, we must stand together and chase the gangsterism out of the community and stand as a team, and keep Ahmed Kathrada’s legacy alive,” he said.

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