Mayor celebrates with struggle veteran


Mayor Mofokeng with Ahmed Kathrada and President Jacob Zuma


Mayor with Minister Tokyo Sexwale


A group of ‘jailbirds’ with Actress Alfre Woodard.
CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO ENLARGE

  The Executive Mayor, Mahole ‘Sy’ Mofokeng, of the Sedibeng District Municipality joined President Jacob Zuma to celebrate the eightieth birthday of struggle veteran Ahmed Kathrada. At a fund raising dinner for the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, Mayor Mofokeng joined in with President Zuma, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, Ministers Tokyo Sexwale, Parvin Gordon, Barbra Hogan and several others to celebrate the life of one of South Africa’s political icons.

Ahmed Kathrada, or ‘Kathy’, as he is affectionately called, spent 26 years in prison, 18 of which were on Robben Island. In 1982 Mandela, Sisulu and Kathrada were transferred to Pollsmoor prison. Kathrada is a recipient of “Isithwalandwe”; the highest award bestowed by the ANC. In 1994 Kathrada was elected to Parliament and served as President Mandela's Parliamentary Counsellor. He was chairperson of the Robben Island Museum Council until 2006.

The highlight of the evening was a spontaneous birthday song in which ‘Kathy’ was joined on stage by several ex-prisoners and Oscar winning actress, Alfre Woodard. The esteemed group included amongst others, Derek Hannekom, Kgalema Motlanthe, Trish Hanekom, Justice Albie Sachs, Reggie Vandeyar, Minister Barbra Hogan, David ‘Speech’ Moisi, Mossy Moola, Minister Sexwale, Mac Maharaj and President Zuma. The Gala celebrations also included Nobel Prize winner Nadine Gordimer, Advocate George Bizos and Movie Producer Anant Singh. The attendance reflected the affection and esteem that South Africans hold for ‘Kathy’. The Programme was directed by the Chair of the Kathrada Foundation, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa.

 
Diclaimer