Struggle stalwart Ahmed Kathrada had clearly found the current political leadership of SA wanting, including a trajectory that could put the country in line with "some of the vilest regimes in history", former deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe said at Katharada's funeral on Wednesday.
The country would do well to re-examine the principles and understanding of human nature that drove a man at the end of his life to issue stark and public warnings on SA's direction, Motlanthe said.
Addressing hundreds of mourners who gathered at Westpark Cemetery to pay tribute to Kathrada, Motlanthe read sections of letter sent by Kathrada almost exactly a year ago, calling on President Jacob Zuma to resign.
Promting a standing ovation and applause from hundreds gathered, Motlanthe read extensive extracts of the letter to Zuma that had raised serious concerns, starting with Nkandla, and calling for a resignation.
"It would be disingenuous to the life of Kathrada to pretend he he was not disturbed by the current failure of post-apartheid politics," said Motlanthe.
"He took exception to the feeding frenzy, moral corruption, societal depravity and political dissolution," he said. The deep concern over a rise of "noxious racism".
Words should not be put in the mouth of Kathrada posthumously, "but on a day like this we should not mince words", said Motlanthe.
Numerous ministers, struggle veterans and political heavyweights were among the hundreds of mourners. These included former presidents Motlanthe and Thabo Mbeki, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Graca Machel and Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan.
President Jacob Zuma was however absent, with the Presidency on Wednesday acknowledging this was due to a request from the Kathrada family.
ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe painted Kathrada as a model leader who had integrity.
Speaking at Kathrada’s funeral at the Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg‚ Mantashe said Kathrada was “incorruptible‚ not only in his politics but also in his personal life.”
“He was a man you knew who would never let you down‚ he would never do something behind your back and never deceive you. You always knew where you stood with him. Sometimes his words were harsh and hurtful but they were never dishonest‚” Mantashe said‚ receiving applause from hundreds of mourners.
Gauteng Premier David Makhura on Wednesday called on leaders to heed the advice of struggle stalwarts.
“We as leaders must have the humility to listen to the stalwarts of our struggle‚” Makhura told mourners at the funeral of Ahmed Kathrada at the Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg.
The 87-year-old struggle stalwart died on Tuesday morning at the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre in Johannesburg. He had suffered a brain clot.
Kathrada had continued to be very vocal about the state of the country.
Last year‚ he wrote a letter to President Jacob Zuma‚ urging him to resign.
This came after major political upheaval‚ including the removal of former finance minister Nhlanhla Nene and the damning Nkandla report by the former public protector Thuli Madonsela.
It is unfortunate that he leaves at a time when his wisdom is needed more
Mantashe said veterans were correct to give direction to the country’s current leaders.
“I want to appeal to veterans that they have a responsibility of guiding us and other generations of leaders that will come‚” Mantashe said.
A group of 101 ANC veterans have written a formal appeal to the ruling party to address its internal issues‚ but some current leaders have met the criticism with scorn.
Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba was criticised on Wednesday for attending the funeral, after delivering a tongue-lashing to the stalwarts last year, calling them “a mixed bag of so-called ANC stalwarts and disillusioned ex-ANC leaders” who were ill disciplined.
The stalwarts‚ who last year signed a document titled For the Sake of Our Future‚ said on Tuesday they were concerned about the present political crisis‚ which has been sparked by speculation that Zuma is about to fire respected Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan in a Cabinet reshuffle.
“They are destroying the values and traditions of the ANC and the trust that the overwhelming majority of our citizens gave the ANC during the struggle against apartheid and in the early days of our short democracy‚” the veterans said in a statement released on Tuesday.
South African Communist Party (SACP) leader Blade Nzimande said: “We dare not gamble with this movement in his honour.
“We will continue to say no‚ no‚ no. It is unfortunate that he leaves at a time when his wisdom is needed more in our organisation.”
Bheki Ntshalintshali of Cosatu gave a stern warning to the country’s leaders‚ saying they “are not organisations”.
“We must separate them. Leaders will come and go but organisations will remain. No matter how popular you may be‚ but never for the moment think you are bigger than the organisation‚” Ntshalintshali said.
He said it was acceptable for leaders to be corrected.
Makhura pointed out at the funeral on Wednesday that Kathrada had refused to be silenced.
“Although he is silent today‚ Comrade Kathy was never a silent man in his 87 years of life. He always made his views known and‚ even as he lies here today‚ he refuses to be silent‚” Makhura said.
He called on leaders to protect the legacy of struggle icons.
“We must be angry if anyone insults our stalwarts and veterans for they represent that monumental honour ... priceless pride of our people and consciousness of our nation‚” he said.
With TMG Digital
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