On 30 October the documentary, Ahmed Kathrada: A Man For All Seasons premiered in Durban as a tribute to Ahmed Kathrada, an anti-apartheid activist and former Robben Island prisoner who was charged with sabotage and attempting to overthrow the government by violent means at the Rivonia Trial. The charges resulted in Kathrada serving 26 years in incarceration. Kathrada celebrated his 85th birthday on 21 August and the 25th anniversary of his release from prison on 15 October.
Produced by Anant Singh, the film follows Kathrada from his life as an activist to the founding of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, which aims to promote the values, rights and principles encompassed in the Freedom Charter and the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Ahmed Kathrada: A Man For All Seasons presents interviews with close friends and colleagues; fellow Rivonia trialists including Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and Denis Goldberg; and other prisoners who served with him at Robben Island.
Former Minister and fellow Robben Islander, Sbu Ndebele; former Constitutional Court judge, Lewis Skweyiya; retired High Court Judge, Thumba Pillay; Ela Gandhi; Swaminathan Gounden; Gcina Mhlope and Sam Ramsamy, and a number of struggle activists were present at the premiere.
Anant Singh said, “Kathy is an exceptional man who has given his entire life to the freedom of our people. Our film is a tribute to him and we hope that it inspires people, especially the youth, to emulate his example.’
