Johannesburg – African National Congress (ANC) veteran Ahmed Kathrada passed away in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
Announcing the struggle veteran’s passing, the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation said it was “deeply saddened to announce the passing on of ANC veteran Ahmed Kathrada, 87, this morning, at the Donald Gordon Hospital in Johannesburg”.
The foundation said Kathrada, who was affectionately known as “uncle Kathy”, passed away “peacefully” after a short period of illness, following brain surgery.
Kathrada’s activism spanned a total of 75 years. He was one of three surviving Rivonia Triallists who stood trial for treason against the apartheid government between 1963 and 1964.
In 1964, he was sentenced to life imprisonment and served 18 years on Robben Island before being transferred to Pollsmoor in Cape Town in 1982.
He was later released and served as an ANC MP under Madiba, who remained a close friend.