Cape Town - Apartheid struggle stalwart Ahmed Kathrada has made at least 300 trips to Robben Island after he was released as a political prisoner in 1990.
This was revealed on Saturday when he figuratively made yet another journey to the island during the launch of his book, Triumph of the Human Spirit.
The launch was held at the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront. The event was a reunion of former political prisoners and also marked the day when Kathrada, alongside Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Raymond Mhlaba and others, was ambushed and arrested by apartheid police at Liliesleaf farm in Rivonia in 1963. This led to the infamous Rivonia trial during which they were sentenced to life imprisonment on the island.
Nelson Mandela and other leaders were arrested separately but were tried and sentenced with the Liliesleaf group.
Kathrada, 85, spoke of how he enjoyed going back to the island and telling visitors about his experience as this restored his freedom of expression.
Kathrada served as tour guide to heads of states and various world leaders including US president Barack Obama, former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, Fidel Castro of Cuba as well as Hollywood stars Beyonce, Charlize Theron and Will Smith.
The book is a collection of photographs taken with the visitors as well as copies of diary and notebook entries Kathrada kept.
Neeshan Balton, executive director of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, which published the book, said the book was aimed at preserving Kathrada’s legacy and experience while adding to the history of the country and the island.
Weekend Argus