Sami Shalabi recently graduated with a BA in International Studies, with a concentration in Global Environment and Health, and the Arabic Language. In the future, Sami hopes to attend Dental School and ultimately work in Palestine as a dentist.
In this dispatch, Sami reflects on his experience meeting anti-Apartheid Activist, Mr. Ahmed Kathrada, and how Mr. Kathrada’s humility and sheer of love of people and the country of South Africa deeply affected him. You can watch Sami read his first paragraph by clicking here.
Live History
We have all had the opportunity to visit museums. The routine of walking around, casually reading scattered facts, and continuing with our day is how it always goes. On Monday, we found a way to break that routine. There we were—a group of twenty Americans—following Mr. Ahmed Kathrada through the halls of Liliesleaf Farm. We were in disbelief as we followed him from room to room, listening to him explain how he and his colleagues, such as Madiba, used the farm to hide and create their political strategy. There was an eerie feeling when we arrived in the room in which he was arrested. He nonchalantly talked about the danger he was in, and the tough prison conditions he faced over his twenty-six years of imprisonment.
Looking around and seeing pictures of a young Mr. Kathrada, and then looking back at him explaining his journey, gave way to many emotions. There was a chilling feeling when I realized that I was following a live piece of history through a museum. His pictures and the pamphlets came to life as he described every detail as if it were his first time there. Puzzled by his unrelenting demeanor, one of my POA brothers asked Mr. Kathrada if coming back to Liliesleaf was difficult. In his confident and humble tone, Mr. Kathrada described how his frequent trips to the farm were actually a source of enjoyment for him.
I used my opportunity during the Q&A session to ask Mr. Kathrada about the current state in Palestine. As a Palestinian-American activist, I was especially grateful to meet Mr. Kathrada, since he has been very vocal on the current struggle. I asked him a question about the true parallels of the struggle between Palestine and South Africa, and how things would play out if political prisoner Marwan Barghouti were released. Kathy chuckled and said, “One can endlessly speculate about the what-ifs of time.” He did, however, speak about the importance of solidarity between the South African and Palestinian struggles.
When the meeting was coming to a close, Mr. Kathrada spoke beautifully about how grateful and privileged he was to host our group. Yes, I was also confused about why a freedom fighter and founding father of South Africa could be privileged to speak with “us.” Yet, this told so much of Mr. Kathrada’s character. Whether it was during the struggle or currently, Mr. Kathrada has always been a humble man of the people. At eighty-six years old, he recognizes the long way this nation has come, but admits the extensive journey it still has ahead.
My favorite part of the day came at the end when we were taking pictures. As I approached Mr. Kathrada with my phone raised in my hand, I asked him to look up for a selfie. I am proud to say that I am probably on a very short list of people who have a selfie with Mr. Kathrada. After he laughed and shook my hand, he looked up at me and said, “You are just as tall as Mandela.”
