South African anti-apartheid activist Ahmed Kathrada, once jailed for defying a law that discriminated against Indian South Africans, died early on Tuesday. He was 87. The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation said he passed away peacefully after a short period of illness and following surgery to the brain at the Donald Gordon Hospital in Johannesburg, Africanews.com reported.
Indian PM Narendra Modi condoled the passing away of Kathrada. On Twitter he posted: "Dr Ahmed Kathrada will be remembered as a remarkable personality, whose life was devoted to creating a just & equal society RIP." "I was honoured to have interacted with an inspiring personality like Dr Ahmed Kathrada during my South Africa visit last year," he said in another tweet.
Neeshan Balton, Executive Director of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, said, "This is a great loss to the ANC (African National Congress), the broader liberation movement and South Africa as a whole." "Internationally, he was staunch in his support for the Palestinian struggle. 'Kathy' was an inspiration to millions in different parts of the world," Balton added.