The Nelson Mandela Foundation sends its deepest condolences to the family, comrades and friends of Kesval “Kay” Moonsamy, who has passed away at the age of 91.
Politically active from his teenage years, Moonsamy was an accused with Nelson Mandela in the Treason Trial of 1956. After periods of detention, imprisonment and banning he left South Africa for exile in 1965, leaving behind his wife and four children. After working with the African National Congress in exile for more than 25 years, he returned to South Africa in 1991.
After the country’s first democratic elections in 1994 he became a Member of Parliament when Mandela was President and then during the first term of President Thabo Mbeki.
Moonsamy was one of a group of surviving members of the Treason Trial to meet with Mandela at a reunion on 14 March 2008. The reunion came out of a desire by Mandela to find out what had happened to the 155 people who stood trial with him more than 50 years before.
Speaking at the time of the reunion, Moonsamy chuckled as he recalled the trial, which brought together many political activists who otherwise would not have had the chance to meet. “It was a good get-together – which the state provided.” He explained that every day the accused had a masterclass in politics as different leaders held political discussions each day.
He commented that the dialogue and reunion at the Nelson Mandela Foundation was an “important” gathering. It was “an interesting development in the transformation of our society” and “an inspiration to all freedom-loving and peace-loving South Africans”.
We give thanks for a life well lived and for the sacrifices he made for the people of South Africa.
Hamba kahle Comrade Kay.