Chairperson, this is indeed a very sad day not just for us as members, but also for the whole of South Africa. Another tree has fallen. Today, we are talking about a fearless, disciplined and principled man.
Here we are talking about an incorruptible freedom fighter, a fighter who fought corruption with everything in his body. I was honoured and had the extreme privilege of working with Comrade Kader Asmal in Parliament since 1994. He was a true hero of our time.
He had an immense impact on everyone who knew him, as well as on South African society. His fearless contribution towards freedom and democracy in this country is to be praised. He has left behind a legacy very few men will ever fulfil in a lifetime. He was a man of great intellectual capacity. He was a professor of human rights law and deeply involved in intellectual circles. In his capacity as Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry and then of Education he exceeded himself. It is public knowledge that when he resigned from Parliament in 2008, he made it clear that it was in protest against his own party's decision to disband the elite Scorpions anticorruption unit.
More or less 14 days ago, the late Prof Asmal was on SAfm talking about the Protection of Information Bill. In that interview he advised the government to withdraw and review the Bill. That shows, once again, that he stood for justice until the end. His role as a loving father, a loving husband, and a dedicated servant of South Africa, and the stability and integrity he brought to South African society cannot be forgotten.
Cope wants to convey its sincerest condolences to his family, friends and his political party, the ANC. Go well, Comrade Kader Asmal. Job well done! Rest in peace!
Tsamaya hantle. [Go well.] [Applause.]