By Fakir Hassen, IANS,
Johannesburg : Indian High Commissioner Rajiv Bhatia has handed over a cheque of $200,000 for a foundation to be set up in the name of Ahmed Kathrada, a South African struggle veteran and a recipient of the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award.
The donation made by India on its Independence Day Saturday will be used to set up the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, a research and documentation centre in the huge Indian township of Lenasia, 35 km south of here.
Among the objectives of the centre is the documentation of the liberation history of South Africa in general and the South African Indian community in particular.
Bhatia also referred to Kathrada as “an extraordinary man” at a gala function here. It was attended by about 500 luminaries of the political, business and professionals sectors to mark the 80th birthday of Kathrada, a close confidante of former president Nelson Mandela. They had spent many years together as political prisoners on Robben Island.
“On behalf of the people of India, may I say, as the old Sanskrit saying goes: `May you live to be a hundred or more’,” Bhatia said.
“I think this is also an occasion to laud and to assess the contribution of South Africans of Indian origin on what they have contributed to South Africa as a whole, and above all to the great relationship between India and South Africa.”
President Jacob Zuma, who was the chief guest at the birthday celebration, lauded Kathrada for his life-long principles of simplicity, humility and honesty.
“(Kathrada) did not let hatred dictate his actions but believed strongly in reconciliation and forgiveness, just like Nelson Mandela,” Zuma said, adding that the values of justice for all and non-racialism that Kathrada stood for all his life were just as relevant in South Africa today.
“There is no room (in South Africa) for anyone who promotes racism.”
Zuma said Kathrada had shown tremendous heroism and courage by helping forge the alliance between the then provincial Transvaal Indian Congress and Natal Indian Congress with the African National Congress in the joint quest for liberation from apartheid.