THE FORMER chairman of Ireland’s Anti-Apartheid Movement (IAAM) and an Irish nun who established a care centre for impoverished South Africans were among a group given South Africa’s highest national award yesterday for their contribution to society.
Kader Asmal was awarded the Order of Luthuli in Silver by President Kgalema Motlanthe at Union Buildings in Pretoria. He has been a senior member of the African National Congress since his 27 years of exile and after his return following the end of apartheid, and he served two terms as a South African government minister between 1994 and 2004.
He had been a law lecturer and dean of the arts faculty in Trinity College, Dublin, and was a founder member of the IAAM.
According to the office of the presidency, Dr Asmal’s nomination for the award was accepted because of “his immense contribution to the liberation struggle, the South African education system and the environment”.
“I am deeply honoured to receive this award,” he told The Irish Times shortly before the ceremony.
“Albert Luthuli [the former ANC president the award is named after] was my mentor, so this is of particular significance to me.”
He added: “I have been given this award partly for my contribution to international solidarity, of which my relationship with Ireland plays a very significant part.”
Mr Asmal was joined at the ceremony by Co Clare’s Sr Ethel Normoyle, who was awarded the Order of the Baobaob in Silver for “her excellent service to society, caring for the vulnerable and poor members of her community”.
Sr Ethel, who is with the Little Company of Mary order, arrived in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape Province, one of the country’s poorest, in 1988, where she sowed the seeds for the Missionvale Care Centre by establishing an outdoor school beneath a tree.
Since then the project has grown dramatically and now includes an equipped school, a care centre and resource centre that houses numerous initiatives ranging from feeding programmes to HIV-related schemes.
Speaking to Port Elizabeth’s Herald newspaper last week, Sr Ethel said: “I am humbled to be among great South African leaders who will receive the Order of the Baobaob in Silver.
“I dedicate the award to the board of trustees at the centre and the other people who work there.”
Another recipient of a national award yesterday with Irish connections was South African millionaire businessman, ANC stalwart and former leader of the National Union of Mineworkers, Cyril Ramaphosa, who oversaw decommissioning of arms during the Northern Ireland peace process.