Cape Town - Freedom fighter and activist Ahmed Kathrada received a hero’s welcome at Bonteheuwel High School on Monday.
“It is such a privilege and honour to celebrate my birthday with this school, as I came to encourage and inspire young people, because I believe that the more we get to interact with them, the more we learn from each other.
“Young people must enjoy themselves because they have many opportunities unlike us.
“These days people can become what they want to become and achieve what they want to achieve, unlike back in the day where people who were not white became teachers and nurses only.
“People who were not white were not allowed to study other courses like medicine, engineering etc.” said Kathrada.
Kathrada said things were difficult under apartheid. “Being in prison was difficult, because our guards didn’t have knowledge of how to treat prisoners,” he said.
But Kathrada was proud to be in prison with educated prisoners because no one left Robben Island uneducated - even though they didn’t have certificates.
Asheeq Adams, a Grade 12 pupil said: “I’ve been doing research about Kathrada, so seeing him with us today is such a nice experience, listening to him sharing his stories and history. I am so proud to say he is our hero after the struggle he fought for us.”
Noxolo Nongauza, who is in Grade 10, said: “I feel honoured that someone like Kathrada came to our school to actually share the experience he had in prison, to encourage us as young people to always look forward in life and to be happy to be free in our country”.
Principal Nicola Pather said the staff and pupils were excited when they heard Kathrada chose to visit their school, to encourage and educate the pupils.
“It is good to have people like him visit our schools in the community, as he was part of the Struggle with our late heroes like Ashley Kriel and others, now our kids have people to look up to.”
Kriel’s sister, Melanie Adams, said she was grateful Kathrada honoured their community, especially at the school, as their community was known for gangsterism and drugs.
“For Kathrada coming here is such a great privilege, as it encourages young people to have something positive coming out of their lives, and encourage them to be responsible youth.
“It was so touching to see one of our freedom fighters, someone who was in the Struggle with my late brother.”
Cape Argus