An evening of legacy, leadership and renewed commitment
As the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation steps into the Kathy@100 journey, the banquet feels like more than a celebration.
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation’s Annual Fundraising Banquet returned to the Sandton Convention Centre this year, bringing together partners, activists, community leaders and long-time supporters in one room.
It was an evening recently that honoured Ahmed Kathrada’s (sometimes known by the nickname “Kathy”) life, while making it clear that his values still matter deeply in a country wrestling with inequality, political tension and social division.
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The foundation used the night to introduce Kathy@100, a multi-year build-up to Kathrada’s centenary in 2029.
The project isn’t just a commemorative gesture. It’s a push to strengthen work in youth activism, non-racialism, democratic accountability and the preservation of liberation history.
In other words, it’s an invitation to a new generation to carry the work forward, not simply admire it.
The audience also got a first look at the foundation’s 2026 clendar, from Resistance to Reconciliation.
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It traces key milestones in South Africa’s liberation journey.
The message is simple: our history didn’t end in the archives, and the freedoms earned through sacrifice still need defending.
One of the standout moments came with the presentation of the Kathy Award. This year, it went to two public servants known for their consistency and courage: SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter and long-serving National Treasury figure Ismail Momoniat.
Their recognition felt fitting. Both men represent the integrity and accountability that Kathy himself believed were non-negotiable in public life.
Guests were also invited to make pledges toward the foundation’s ongoing work. These contributions keep programmes running, from youth leadership spaces to social justice campaigns and non-racialism education. The foundation expressed its gratitude for all pledges made on the night and encouraged those who still want to contribute to reach out.
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