Struggle veterans and politicians flocked to Parkview in Johannesburg on Thursday (January 31 2013) to pay their last respects to struggle veteran Amina Cachalia (82) after her passing. Above: President Jacob Zuma arrives at the wake. Pictures: Leon Sadiki/City Press

Deputy president of the ANC Cyril Ramaphosa said Cachalia “was one of those older comrades we had in our country who continued to offer advice and continued to encourage us along the path of making sure that the ANC realises the objectives it was set up for”.

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe said that Cachalia “belonged to a generation of very good people who really gave their all for the struggle for liberation and creating a humane society”.

Rivonia trialist Ahmed Kathrada said he remembered her “as a very courageous person throughout her life”, and an example to people of what commitment, sacrifice and struggle really meant.

Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula arrives at the wake.

Maria Ramos, CEO of Absa, and Planning Minister Trevor Manuel were among the mourners.

Human rights lawyer Advocate George Bizos was also among the mourners, as was former president Thabo Mbeki, Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile. Mbeki said South Africa “needed people like her to really recall what our struggle was about”.

Cachalia was buried at Johannesburg’s West Park Cemetery.