Ahmed Kathrada Foundation

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Ahmed Kathrada Foundation

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Promoting the values of non-racialism, justice, and human rights.

Inspired by the life and legacy of Ahmed Kathrada, a stalwart of the anti-apartheid struggle, we aim to build an inclusive society that honors the ideals for which he lived. The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation will:

Promote the values, rights and principles enshrined in the Freedom Charter and the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa;

Collect, record, promote and display, through historical artefacts and contemporary material, Kathrada's role in South Africa's liberation struggle and its relation to the role of other individuals, groups and movements both nationally and internationally;

Establish a Research and Documentation centre that will provide selective historical and contemporary documentation and archival material on liberation history in South Africa and make this available for academic and scholarly research;

Organize seminars, lectures, debates and discussions and undertake research on issues which promote a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa;

Identify and support projects and programmes that will deepen non racialism and create an equitable society;

Build and maintain a centre that will carry out all of the activities and programmes of the Foundation. While Ahmed Kathrada's activities were substantially connected with the Indian Congress, in practice his activities extended well beyond the Indian Community, ranging from the Young Communist League to Umkhonto we Sizwe amongst others. The foundation will therefore strive to include basic data and be a reference point for information on other individuals and liberation organizations.

04/11/2026

Today, young people from our Youth Activism and Leadership Programme are on the ground across Gauteng, serving as registered election observers at various voting stations as part of the Defend Our Democracy Election Watch Campaign.

Through this initiative, the Foundation has successfully recruited and officially registered 500 election observers across 198 wards in Gauteng, demonstrating the power of youth participation in strengthening our democracy.

The images coming in from different voting stations capture more than young people participating in an electoral process; they reflect a generation taking responsibility for the future of our democracy, promoting transparency and accountability, and contributing to free and fair elections.

We believe that active citizenship goes beyond exercising the right to vote. It also means taking an active role in safeguarding democratic institutions and upholding the principles that hold our society together.

Today, our young people are putting that commitment into action, because defending democracy is everyone's responsibility.

04/11/2026

Division is how a flame goes out. Don't let it extinguish our democracy. Join hands in unity and keep the flame alive: vote on 4 November.

04/11/2026

Democracy isn't a monument. It's a fire, and fire needs hands. Today is the day: don't let it go out.

Tend the flame and cast your vote. Then show us your inked thumb with .

Find your station: https://bit.ly/4jTF5hU

03/11/2026

Democracy belongs to all of us. So, own it. Defend it. And on 4 November, show up for it. Let's keep the flame lit, together.

Tag one person who is voting with you.

03/11/2026

For any democracy to grow strong and truly serve The People, every single voice must be heard. Yours too. On 4 November, make your choice count.

Find your voting station, take your ID, and bring someone with you. Tend the flame.

Find your station here: https://bit.ly/4jTF5hU

03/11/2026

500 Election Observers in 198 Wards. One shared commitment to defending our democracy.

As part of the Defend Our Democracy Election Watch Campaign, the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation’s Youth Activism and Leadership Programme has successfully recruited and officially registered 500 election observers across 198 wards in Gauteng.

This milestone reflects our commitment to strengthening active citizenship, promoting democratic participation and empowering young people to play an active role in safeguarding our democracy.

Through this initiative, young people are not merely spectators in our democracy; they are active participants in ensuring that electoral processes uphold the principles of transparency, accountability and fairness.

We believe that a strong democracy requires informed, engaged and responsible citizens who are willing to stand up for its values.

Defending democracy is everyone's responsibility.

03/11/2026

Today, we remember anti-apartheid activist Haji Ahmed Timol, who would have celebrated his 85th birthday on 3 November 2026.

Fifty-five years ago, on 27 October 1971 (7 Ramadan 1391), Ahmed Timol died in police custody at the notorious John Vorster Square Police Headquarters in Johannesburg, following brutal torture by the apartheid Security Police.

His death, just days before his 30th birthday, was the result of a systematic attempt by the apartheid state to silence his political activism and extract information about his underground resistance activities.

Last week, we hosted a commemorative event at the Central Johannesburg Police Station to honour Ahmed Timol's life, reflect on the circumstances surrounding his death and reaffirm the importance of preserving his legacy. The gathering provided an opportunity to remember his contribution to the struggle against apartheid and reflect on the continued pursuit of justice and accountability.

As we reflect on his life and sacrifice, we honour Ahmed Timol's courage, conviction and unwavering commitment to the struggle against apartheid.

His legacy reminds us that the pursuit of justice, equality and human dignity demands courage, and that the responsibility to confront injustice rests with every generation.

At 85 years since his birth and 55 years since his death, we remember. We honour. We keep his legacy alive.

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31/10/2026

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, Youth Activism & Leadership Programme is proud to be an event partner at Ink & Justice 2026: The Africa Book, Media & Democracy Summit, taking place today at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg.

Under the theme “Storytelling for Action: Amplifying Human Rights in the Digital Age,” the summit brings together young people, civil society organisations, media practitioners and other stakeholders to explore the role of storytelling, education, media and civic participation in strengthening democracy and advancing human rights.

AKF's contribution: The Constitution for Active Citizenry

As part of our contribution to the programme, the Foundation's Youth Activism and Leadership Programme will facilitate an interactive session titled “The Constitution for Active Citizenry.”

The session will explore how the Constitution extends beyond a document of rights and freedoms, serving as a practical framework through which citizens can speak, organise, mobilise, participate and demand accountability.

Through an engaging constitutional literacy activity and a mock election exercise, participants will be challenged to identify community issues, develop action-oriented campaigns informed by constitutional rights, and exercise their democratic agency by voting for the campaigns they believe can make the greatest positive difference in their communities.

Our participation reflects the Foundation's ongoing commitment to nurturing informed, active and responsible young citizens who understand their constitutional rights and recognise their power to shape the democratic future of South Africa.

We believe that democracy is strengthened when young people move beyond awareness to meaningful participation, advocacy and action.

Because an active citizenry is essential to a healthy democracy.

📍 Constitution Hill, Women's Jail
📅 Today, 31 October 2026
⏰ 09:30 – 17:30

28/10/2026

– “The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation marks a decade of youth voices against racism, with previous competition winners Siyemethemba Zuma and Jonathan-Aaron Oktober reflecting on how the initiative helped them find their voices.

The Foundation calls on learners aged 14–19 to enter the 10th National Essay Writing Competition Against Racism and use their words to challenge racism and champion justice.”

Article by Desnay Peterson | Southern Courier

Read the full article here: https://www.citizen.co.za/southern-courier/news-headlines/local-news/2026/10/27/young-voices-urged-to-speak-up-against-racism/

Previous winners Siyemethemba Zuma and Jonathan-Aaron Oktober share how the competition helped them find their voices, as the foundation calls on learners aged 14 to 19 to enter its 10th anniversary edition.

28/10/2026

4 DAYS TO GO! | Deadline: 31 October

Address

Signet Terrace Office Park
Lenasia
1827

Telephone

+27118540082

Website

http://www.kathradafoundation.org/

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