South Africans gather for Kathrada's funeral

A political tribute session is expected to start at 10.00am.

Former President of South Africa and board member of the Kathrada Foundation, Kgalema Motlanthe will speak at the event. 

Anti-apartheid struggle stalwart Sophie Williams-de Bruyn, the SACP General Secretary Blade Nzimande and ANC Secretary General Gwede Nzimande will also address the mourners.

The foundation says the session will be followed by the ritual Muslim funeral prayer rites which will then be followed by the final burial rites. 

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Former African Union Chairperson, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma is in attendance.

"He leaves a very good legacy for all of us and for young people to be selfless in struggle, to be honest, to be humble and to be committed to creating a better life for all South Africans," says Dlamini-Zuma.

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Eddie Daniels, who was imprisoned on Robben Island with Kathrada, says he will be missed.

"We can draw from Mr Ahmed Kathrada his generosity, his patience and his quiet temperament. Whenever there is trouble brewing or something going wrong, Mr Kathrada would always try and pacify people," says Daniels.