Latest Press Releases
- Solidarity with pro-Palestine hunger strikers in British prisonsWe, the undersigned organisations, express our unwavering solidarity with proPalestine…
- Massacres from Bondi Beach to Gaza must be condemned unequivocally.The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation denounces Sunday’s attack on a Jewish…
- South Africans must rally against Trump’s false genocide claimsThe untruthful claims by US President Donald Trump of a…
- Civil Society Calls on Chief Justice to Act Against Expanding Use of Gagging OrdersTwenty-three leading civil society and media organisations have written to…
“Remember that no struggle in any part of the world was won in the drawing rooms and conference tables…we must at all times know that, as with the struggles of all peoples, the main brunt will have to be borne by the youth”
– Ahmed Kathrada
Established in 2008, the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation was created to uphold and promote the values embodied by Ahmed Kathrada and his generation of anti-apartheid activists. As an independent and non-partisan organization, the Foundation is dedicated to advancing the principles of justice, equality, and non-racialism.
Kathrada, a veteran of the liberation struggle, spent 26 years imprisoned on Robben Island alongside his fellow Rivonia Trialists for opposing apartheid. His unwavering dedication to the ideals of a democratic, non-racial South Africa continues to inspire the Foundation’s work today.
Preserving Liberation History
It all started when…
Concerned citizens got together in June 2023 to deliberate on the impact of the frequent changes in the leadership of the City of Johannesburg. This ‘Coalition Chaos’ prompted the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation to convene a Summit of residents on 7 July 2023 to plot a way forward to address the many crises facing the City.
Advancing Non-Racialism
The Foundation’s core objective is to deepen non-racialism through its various departments and activities. It has not only advocates for this Constitutional ideal, but has actively intervened in incidents wherein racial tensions have flared. Through ongoing media work the Foundation keeps track of racial issues and responds consistently.
Youth Leadership and Activism
The Kathrada Foundation focuses on youth work, where young people get a chance to engage on issues of racism and how they can combat it. The annual youth leadership programme includes developing an understanding of liberation history through various visits to historical sites. Through this programme young people get a chance to get their leadership and activism skills honed.
Strengthening and Defending Democracy
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation is committed to strengthening and defending South Africa’s democracy by encouraging a culture of accountability, supporting community-led initiatives, building progressive coalitions, and advancing electoral reform. Central to this is the development of a shared national purpose, driven by a new generation of ethical and visionary leadership.
Board Members
The Foundation conducts research aimed at understanding issues of race, identity transformation and history. A number of publications and papers have been published; these materials and sources help to capture data about racism and inform thinking and policy aimed at eradicating it. The Foundation also hosts various seminars, workshops, conferences and dialogues on issues of race. The Foundation also hosts an annual lecture, where broader issues that affect South Africa are discussed.
“we dare not for a moment forget that there is no dignity in poverty, hunger, unemployment, homelessness, schools without textbooks and much more”
– Ahmed Kathrada