Friends remember Kadar

THERE WAS a big turnout in the Mansion House on Monday night at a memorial service for Kadar Asmal, who died in June.

Trinity law professor Kadar was a founder member of the Irish Anti-Apartheid Movement and became a member of Nelson Mandela’s government after returning to his native South Africa in 1990.

“It was a very pleasant evening, attended by the aged great and good,” said one of the guests.

Kadar’s wife Louise and sons Rafiq and Adam joined the crowd in the Oak Room, along with poet Séamus Heaney and musician Frankie Gavin.

Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton was the main speaker. Joan, back in the day, was treasurer of the IAAM.

She told the gathering that Kadar sent her a letter after this year’s general election. “Dear Joan, don’t worry. I didn’t get the cabinet position I was looking for either.” (He had hoped to become minister for constitutional development in South Africa’s first democratically elected government. Instead, he was handed water affairs.)

Joan recalled Kadar could be very bossy. When Mary Robinson met Mandela, he was present. Mary pointed out Kadar used to be her lecturer at Trinity. “Ah yes, he lectures us all the time too,” replied Mandela.