We Remember Kader Asmal

The Irish Association would like to extend our condolences to all the family and friends of this extraordinary man. Activist, teacher, lawyer, professor, politician and, above all, man of principle, ANC stalwart Kader Asmal passed away on Wednesday afternoon. He will be remembered not only for the part he played in the struggle against apartheid, but for his many services to the new South Africa - as MP and Cabinet member, his unwavering commitment to non-racial, democratic principles and his courage to speak the truth.

Kader, who was inspired as a schoolboy by Walter Sisulu, moved to London after he graduated as a school teacher where he enrolled at the London School of Economics and Political Science. While in London he started the British Anti-Apartheid Movement and when he joined the Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland as a teacher of human rights, labour and international law, he started the Irish Anti-Apartheid Movement. Kader qualified as a barrister in both the London and Dublin Bars and received degrees from both the London School of Economics (LL.M. (Lond.)) and Trinity College, Dublin (M.A. (Dubl.)). He was a law professor at Trinity College for 27 years, specializing in human rights, labour, and international law.

In 1990, Asmal returned to South Africa and shortly afterwards was elected to the African National Congress' National Executive Committee. In 1993, he served as a member of the negotiating team of the African National Congress at the Multiparty Negotiating Forum. In May 1994, he was elected to the National Assembly, and joined the cabinet as Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry. Asmal had a great passion for Ireland and returned frequently after moving to South Africa.