The Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation partnered to launch an exhibition about Kathrada’s life
October 17, 2009 – The Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation partnered to launch an exhibition about South African freedom struggle hero Ahmed “Kathy” Kathrada last night at the former Women’s Prison at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg.
Entitled “Kathy: The Man Behind The Public Figure,” the launch celebrated the 20th anniversary of Kathrada’s release from prison on October 15, 1989, and is the final event of a year-long series of events to mark his 80th birthday, which he celebrated on August 21.
The exhibition is a personal insight into Kathrada, portraying his sense of humour, love of food and his close relationship with his friends and family.
Speaking before the exhibition’s launch, the Nelson Mandela Foundation’s Programme Officer Razia Saleh said that the decision to partner with the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation to launch the exhibition had come about as a result of the long friendship between Nelson Mandela and Kathrada.
“Kathy was on Robben Island with Madiba for all those years and then in Pollsmoor Prison with him. During that time they developed a very close relationship,” Saleh said.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Verne Harris, said it was “impossible to tell the story of Nelson Mandela without telling the story of Ahmed Kathrada”.
He hailed the two friends as members of a “special generation” of South Africans.
“While tonight is a celebration of ‘Mr K’ [Kathrada], it is also celebration for all of those people who make up that special generation.”
Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Derek Hanekom, who is also a trustee of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, began proceedings by saying it was fitting that some of the former detainees of the Women’s Prison were present at the event, including Kathrada’s partner, Minister Barbara Hogan.
Ivan May, Chief Executive Office of the Constitution Hill Trust, welcomed people to the event before the evening’s first speaker, Judge Fikile Bam, spoke about his memories and impressions of Kathrada.
Bam, who met Kathrada on Robben Island, said that Kathrada had been a hero of his long before he met him. He added that Kathrada’s role in the 1952 Defiance Campaign had a massive impact on him as a teenager. “He was my superhero,” said Bam.
During his address, Kathrada joked with the crowd before describing some of his experiences in jail.
“During the Rivonia Trail my co-accused and I were described as heroes,” he said. “Then after my release I heard that I was an icon.” He said that recently he learned that he was the “lifelong partner of Minister Barbara Hogan”.
“I could go on and on,” he said, “but I also want to see the exhibition.”
Kathrada ended is address on a serious note, saying that members of a various political groupings united on Robben Island against the common enemy of apartheid. He challenged political parties today to work together to defeat the new enemies of poverty and disease.
The exhibition will be at the former Women’s Prison for the next four months.
Free Ahmed Kathrada: the old poster makes up part of the exhibition
Kathrada relaxes on the beach
The exhibition will be at the former Women’s Prison for the next four months