Mr Speaker, hon Deputy President, hon Ministers and Deputy Ministers, hon members and the family of the late Prof Asmal, we were saddened by the news of the untimely death of Prof Kader Asmal. In the late Prof Asmal South Africa has lost a teacher, a leader, a lawyer and an intellectual par excellence.
I had an opportunity to interact with him during his time as Minister of Education - at that time I was a teacher and union leader. He appointed me, at the recommendation of the National Council of Trade Unions, as a member of the National Board for Further Education and Training. We therefore worked with him during the change in the further education and training landscape.
I also interacted with him during discussions on the National Plan for Higher Education that led to the merger of universities and then technikons. He had come with the then director-general, Thami Mseleku, to make a presentation to the National Economic, Development and Labour Council's Development Chamber. The meeting was very hot and he disagreed with the Development Chamber on a number of issues.
Prof Asmal was a forthright and outspoken person. He was not one to pull any punches, and with him you always knew where you stood. He was always passionate and full of energy, and pursued his ideas without fear. He will be sorely missed.
On behalf of Azapo, I say nxabe [condolences] to his family and to his political party, the ANC. May his soul rest in peace. Thank you.