Anti-Apartheid activist and Mandela confidant Ahmed Kathrada dies. (Photo: Google Images)
Anti-Apartheid activist and Mandela confidant Ahmed Kathrada dies.
(Photo: Google Images)

BBC Africa is reporting the family of legendary anti-Apartheid activist Ahmed Kathrada has requested South African President Jacob Zuma not attend the funeral of Kathrada. Kathrada, was jailed alongside Nelson Mandela for fighting against white minority rule and spent more than 26 years in prison before his release in 1989. He later served as an adviser to then-President Mandela in South Africa’s first democratically elected government.

Anti-Apartheid legends Ahmed Kathrada and Nelson Mandela.
(Photo: Google Images)

President Zuma ordered the national flag to fly at half-mast following the Kathrada’s death. The embattled president also postponed a cabinet meeting so officials could attend the funeral. Zuma complied with the families wishes and  did not attend the funeral. He also said he would not attend a memorial service later this week “in compliance with the wishes of the family,” a government statement said. Kathrada was buried in Johannesburg, following his death on Tuesday.

Prior to his death. Kathrada called for President Zuma to resign after a series of corruption scandals. Attendees of the funeral made the same request during the ceremony.

Kathrada was 87.

Read more at BBC Africa.

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