Ahmed Kathrada on 'From Prison to Parliament: The First Ten Years of a New South Africa'

Ahmed Mohamed Kathrada, or “Kathy” as he is popularly known, is a beloved African National Congress (ANC) leader, veteran of South Africa’s liberation struggle, and lifelong comrade and trusted friend of Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu.

Thursday, November 10, 2005
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
10383 Bunche Hall (10th floor)
UCLA campus
Los Angeles, CA 90095

Throughout his life, Ahmed Kathrada has demonstrated a profound commitment to the equality and freedom of all people, repeatedly risking his own life and freedom in the process. A leading anti-apartheid activist, he was sentenced to life in prison and released after 26 years in confinement. 

From 1994 to 1999, Kathrada served as an ANC Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Counselors to President Nelson Mandela. He also has been the leading force behind the transformation of the infamous Robben Island prison into a world-renowned museum, which symbolizes the triumph of the human spirit over hatred and oppression. Ahmed Kathrada continues to play an essential role in enabling people the world over to learn about South Africa's struggle for democracy. His recently published book, Memoirs, affords readers rare glimpses into his and other activists’ lives during the years of their struggle and imprisonment and provides insight into those who would become South Africa’s post-apartheid leaders.

“…He [Kathrada] is a person of strong opinion and sharp insight. But he also has great humor and humanity. These qualities shine through his letters as they illuminate the ways in which we rose to the challenge facing every prisoner:  how to survive prison intact…to emerge from prison undiminished.”    
  Nelson Mandela

For more information please contact:

James S. ColemanAfrican Studies Center

africa@international.ucla.edu

www.international.ucla.edu/africa

Sponsor(s): African Studies Center, Artists for a New South Africa (ANSA), Colloquium on South Asian History and Cultural Studies.