Leaders of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and the South African Communist Party (SACP) decried the state of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and appealed for introspection as they buried anti-apartheid struggle stalwart Ahmed Kathrada in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

The absence of President Jacob Zuma, barred by the family from attending, echoed as speakers stirred the audience with eulogies in which they referred to the tensions within the ANC and the government.

SACP secretary Blade Nzimande told mourners that there was only one ANC in the country and no other. As a communist, Kathrada joined the movement at the age of 12, and belonged to a generation that was ahead of its time, he said.

“Him and his generation handed us over a big proud organisation, the African National Congress. We dare not gamble with this movement,” he said to a loud applause.

Cosatu secretary general Bheki Ntshalintshali said leaders “come and go” and that the ANC did not belong to anyone.

“As we salute comrade Kathrada, let us remind ourselves that leaders come and go…and we must be able to separate leaders from from the organisation,” said Ntshalintshali.

The SACP and Cosatu has in recent times criticised the ANC top leaders over the infighting in the party, as well as the scandals and rampant corruption that have tainted the Zuma government. The SACP has accused Zuma and the ANC of dragging their feet in curbing corruption and fighting alleged “state capture” by the controversial Gupta family.

ANC secretary Gwede Mantashe said Kathrada was “incorruptible”.

“You knew he would never let you down or do something behind your back…or deceive you. Not only was he incorruptible in politics but also in his personal life. He was a man who would never let you down or do something behind your back…or deceive you. His words were sometimes harsh but he was never dishonest,” Mantashe said.

Mourners responded by clapping their hands.

“I hope that his departing will remind us as the ANC of what pulls us together. What pulls us together is the commitment to resolve three basic contradictions – interrelated – that of race, gender and class. There is a rise in racist incidents, patriarchal power relations and class exploitation remain the order of the day … when we say we’re building a united non-racial society…it should be about addressing these three contradictions,” Mantashe added.