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The death of former Minister and freedom fighter Kader Asmal has
weakened our democracy and impoverished our Republic. One of the
greatest independent thinking and outspoken minds has left us.

I had the pleasure of serving in Cabinet with Professor Asmal for ten
years, and despite of him being the Minister of Water Affairs he soon
became nicknamed the Minister of all affairs, because he felt it to be
his duty to read all Cabinet memoranda and to provide a contribution
where ever he could. He set the standard of good work, competency and
efficiency at Cabinet level.

He was an infatigable worker, who believed in the dignity and
necessity of work. He worked until the end. Monday last week, he was
presiding over a meeting of the Parliamentary Institute of South
Africa, a brainchild of his, which is about to be launched in a few
months to enrich our democracy. Last week he was labouring over his
important contribution to protect our Republic and its democracy from
the threats posed by the secrecy legislation being considered by
Parliament.

With his death the Republic has lost one of the most vigilant
custodians of our freedoms and constitutional order, who never feared
to speak up on matters of principle. He will remain an example of a
courageous life, dedicated and inspired by the highest values a
democrat and a man of principle can aspire to.

He was a man completely dedicated to the struggle for democracy,
within the liberal tradition of tolerance and pursuit of maximum
freedom and liberty. He inspired the ANC liberalists. One hopes that
his liberal spirit will continue to inspire us all.

I can only hope that the political organization he belonged to, will
now hold his example high to teach the values which forged our
generation, so that they may also shape our younger generation.

May his soul rest in peace. My and my Party's deepest condolences to
his family and the leadership of the ANC who lost such a great comrade.