He was born in 1929 in a small town near to Johannesburg, in the heart of a Indian immigrant family. He was interested in politics from a very young age, and when he was only 12 years old, he joined several anti-racist groups, where he was in charge of giving out leaflets and recruiting new members.

From the age of 17 he started to work in the passive resistance Campaign of the South African Indian Congress. Due to his important participation in this campaign, where he defended equal political rights and criticised the existing laws, he was arrested for a month, together with another 200 people. During the 2nd World War, he also joined several anti-war movements. In 1940 he had the opportunity of meeting leaders such as Nelson Mandela or Walter Sisulu, with whom he struck up a friendship.

He was one of those accused in the treason Trial, together with Nelson Mandela, which took place from 1956 to 1961. He was not charged in this trial, however in 1963 he was accused again, for carrying out illegal political activities and was condemned to 26 years in prison. During his stay in prison he studied History, Criminology and African Politics. In 1990 he was released and elected a member of parliament for the African National Congress.

Among his publications we find Letters from Robben Island (1999), Memoirs (2004) and A Free Mind: Ahmed Kathrada’s Notebook From Robben Island (2005). He has been named Honorary Doctor at several universities, such as, for example, the University of Massachusetts or the University of Kentucky. He has also earned great acknowledgement for his participation and commitment to the African National Congress.