Scores of academics and politicians have gathered in the main hall of South Africa House in London for the memorial service of struggle icon Kader Asmal, who died aged 76 four months ago.

Throughout his life Asmal had strong links to Britain and Ireland. He was a lecturer at Trinity College in Dublin and founded the Irish and British anti-apartheid movements.

Speakers included Lord Bob Hughes, who worked with Asmal on the British Anti-Apartheid Movement; and Professor Colin Bundy, a South African academic and colleague of the former minister.

Dr June Bam-Hutchinson, one of the organisers of the event, said she wanted to use the memorial service to give a perspective on his legacy.

"He was an internationally known figure, hugely important with human rights movements," she said.

Speaking on behalf of South Africa's High Commissioner to London, Dr Zola Skweyiya, his deputy, Bongiwe Qwabe, described Asmal as "a fearless and tireless campaigner" against apartheid.