Ahmed Kathrada

Ahmed Mohamed Kathrada (sometimes nicknamed Kathy) (21 August 1929 - ) is a South African politician and was an anti-apartheid activist and political prisoner.

Early life

Kathrada was born in the small country town of Schweizer-Reneke in the Western Transvaal, to Indian immigrant parents.

Related Topics:
Schweizer-Reneke - Transvaal - Indian

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Due to the apartheid policies of the time, he could not be admitted to any of the "European" or "African" schools in the area and thus he had to move to Johannesburg to be educated. Once in Johannesburg, he was influenced by leaders of the Transvaal Indian Congress such as Dr. Yusuf Dadoo, Moulvi Cachalia and Yusuf Cachalia. Consequently, he became a political activist at the early age of 12 when he joined the Young Communist League of South Africa. He took part in various activities such as handing out leaflets and performing volunteer work in the individual passive resistance against the Pegging Act in 1941. During World War II, he was involved in the anti-war campaign of the Non-European United Front.

Related Topics:
Johannesburg - Transvaal Indian Congress - Yusuf Dadoo - 1941 - World War II

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He obtained his matric at Johannesburg Indian High.

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