Kathrada described as a 'deep thinker and man of action'

Makhura has been speaking at the struggle stalwart's funeral service at the Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg. 

He died at the age of 87 at a Johannesburg hospital yesterday morning.

Ahmed Kathrada's coffin has been led by a police motorcycle escort as it made its way to Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg for his funeral service. 

 Pall bearers carried his casket in the ANC flag - from his home to a mosque earlier. 

According to the Presidency, President Jacob Zuma won't be attending Kathrada's funeral - complying with the family's request. Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, former President Thabo Mbeki and EFF leader Julius Malema are among the dignitaries attending. 

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Paying tribute to what he's described as a giant in the freedom struggle, the ANC's Mdumiseni Ntuli says Kathrada will never be forgotten.

"We wish to learn one or two things from a very humble life who was very down to earth. Even when he wanted to raise a disagreement with a particular issue - he'd never, ever raised his voice against his own organisation," he said.

The DA's Zwakele Mncwango says Kathrada always put the needs of country first.

ALSO READ: ANC must honour Kathrada by addressing its challenges: Thabo Mbeki

"At times, he would disagree with his own party, with Zuma's decisions. That shows a man who was dedicated to the rights of South Africans," he said. 

The IFP's Narend Singh says he had a chance to work closely with Kathrada in the early days of his career. 

"As a young person who was a senator in 1994, I was very privileged to have worked under the tutelage of people like Uncle Kathy. The amazing thing about them was their humility and he ability to teach us about democracy and the struggle. As older people who did not receive any formal training in government, they were committed to ensure that democracy works for us," he said.