Ministerial Coda

This Coda chapter, shorter than the others in this book, considers Kader Asmal’s role in the governments of South Africa after the fall of Apartheid. As Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry, during Nelson Mandela’s first government (1994–1999), South Africa’s first under universal suffrage, water supply was vastly increased for millions across the country in one of the success stories of the new government. Less successful was his stint as Minister for Education in Thabo Mbeki’s succeeding government, which brought to light many new tensions for the African National Congress (ANC) during its transition from revolutionary movement to government administrators. Above all, his experience in Ireland is shown to be critical to Asmal’s time in government and an unexpected legacy of the Irish Anti-Apartheid Movement. Following the end of his ministerial career, Asmal remained an MP but—as this chapter shows—he grew increasingly concerned by the political behaviour (and corruption) of the ANC in government, especially under the fourth President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma. Asmal eventually broke with ANC orthodoxy, criticizing Zuma, resigning from parliament, and retiring before his death in 2011.