Speaker, the ACDP received the news of the death of Prof Kader Asmal with shock and sadness. He was a fighter for freedom and justice to the very end.
When Prof Asmal retired from parliamentary politics in 2008, the ACDP honoured him for being a truly authentic person, courageous when it came to his convictions, a risk taker and certainly controversial. The ACDP appreciates the contribution he made towards the realisation of a South Africa that is free of many of the injustices of the past, and for this we are grateful.
Prof Asmal's willingness to speak out and tell the truth as he perceived it, regardless of the consequences, placed him head and shoulders above many in this arena. He did not mince his words and he did not even hesitate to break ANC tradition by raising his concerns outside party structures.
This fearless fighter for human rights and guardian of democratic principles even urged South Africans to reject the controversial Protection of Information Bill and warned his own political party not to rush the Bill through Parliament.
We are grateful to him for speaking out and caring for his fellow Africans on the continent. We thank him, too, for speaking out on behalf of refugees and immigrants in South Africa who face great hardship. His courage was touching and inspirational. The ACDP extends our sincere condolences to his wife, Louise, his sons and grandchildren, his family and friends, his colleagues in the ANC, and the communities he served. Our nation has lost a man of great intellect, principle and personal conviction, whose contribution to our constitutional democracy will be cherished forever. I thank you. [Applause.]