A life-size statue of the former leader of the Irish Anti-Apartheid Movement has been unveiled in South Africa.
The likeness of Kader Asmal, who also served as a minister in South Africa's first democratic government, has been added to the Long March to Freedom, an exhibition of bronze statues honouring leaders in South Africa’s struggle for freedom.
The sculpture will be on permanent display at Century City in Cape Town as part of the collection of 100 statues.
They include Nelson Mandela, Oliver and Adelaide Tambo, Steve Biko and international figures such as Fidel Castro and Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme who supported the struggle against apartheid.
Former South African Minister for Finance Trevor Manuel paid tribute to Mr Asmal describing him as "an unbelievably distinguished individual" with a great ability for work.
MC Lawson Naidoo, from the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution said Mr Asmal was taking his place amongst the pantheon of South African heroes and praised his commitment to freedom not just in South Africa.
Dali Tambo, founder of Artists Against Apartheid, who has promoted the Long March to Freedom sculpture park said: "Kader was somebody who had a larger than life presence, in the movement, in the struggle."
He added that: "Everyone who met Kader would speak about him after in glorious terms."
The Irish Ambassador to South Africa Austin Gormley paying tribute added: "We too will long remember his legacy as the leader of the Anti-Apartheid movement in Ireland as well as his contributions at Trinity College Dublin, where he taught law for 27 years".
He also paid tribute to Mr Asmal’s wife Louise who died last week.
Indra de Lanerolle, who has known the Asmal family for more than 60 years, spoke too of Ms Asmal's legacy.
He said: "It was always Kader and Louise, there was never Kader without Louise, it was one word".
He continued that in the relationship between the two "Louise appeared to compromise, to listen, to adapt more than Kader...but maybe that was also because she was more dexterous, more adaptable, maybe more wise about how they could best get done what they both wanted to get done, and they got so much done."
