Sir, – When Dr Kader Asmal died recently died in Cape Town, South Africa, he left a world that is poorer for his passing but so much morally and socially richer for his living.
Notwithstanding his many academic and legal achievements, Kader Asmal will be best remembered in Ireland for his leadership of the Irish Anti-Apartheid Movement (IAAM). Under his remarkable stewardship, the IAAM played a very significant role in the long and ultimately successful international struggle against apartheid.
In the course of this struggle, Dr Asmal was an inspiration to thousands of Irish people, many of who were to play leading roles in other progressive social and political endeavours within the country.
Throughout his years in Ireland, Dr Asmal contributed handsomely to the welfare of his adopted home as he did to his native South Africa. He was a powerful force, for example, in the struggle for civil liberties in this country and was a founding member of IFUT, the university teachers’ trade union. On his return to a democratic South Africa following the defeat of Apartheid, he was elected to parliament for Nelson Mandela’s ANC party. He continued to devote his energy to his country as a leading parliamentarian, minister for education and minister for water and forestry.
Those who were privileged to know Kader Asmal and his wife Louise will remember them both as tireless and might warriors for justice. Their relentless energy, determination and optimism have been inspirational. I feel sure that I speak for many when I express the hope Louise and her family will find solace in the knowledge that Kader has left an indelible, positive footprint as well as in South Africa.
Ní bheidh a leitheid ann arís. – Yours, etc,