A SCOTTISH anti-racism activist famed for his role in the battle against apartheid has died aged 72 after fighting cancer for several years.

Professor David Walsh became politically active in the early-1960s while working as a shop steward at the Ford plant in Dagenham after taking part in a picket of South Africa House.

He went on to study as a mature student at Glasgow University and eventually became dean of the faculty of health at Caledonian University.

In his later years, Professor Walsh was chairman of the Scottish Refugee Council and was instrumental in awarding Nelson Mandela an honorary doctorate, along with Thabo Mbeki, the second post-apartheid president.

He established strong links between Caledonian University and South Africa, particularly in the field of health. Nurses training in Scotland were often sent to South Africa to help HIV clinics.

Brian Filling, chairman of the Scottish branch of Action for South Africa and honorary consul to the country, met Professor Walsh in the early days of the anti-apartheid campaign, when the pair became firm friends and lifelong colleagues.

He said: “He was involved in the anti-racism campaign for 40 years and was pioneering in many ways. His work presaged race relations and equality legislation.

“He will be sorely missed for his knowledge, experience and commitment.”

He added: “David devoted his life to assisting in the fight against racism, imperialism and apartheid. As head of the Refugee Council, he also dedicated himself to assisting people that came to Scotland.

“I knew him for decades and we worked very closely and did a lot together. It was very positive.

Professor Walsh met Mandela at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace, where the South Africa leader was awarded his honorary doctorate.

“Everyone was very impressed by Mandela,” Mr Filling added.

After refusing to visit apartheid-era South Africa during his decades-long campaign, the academic finally visited the country in 1994, just as it was preparing to hold its first democratic elections.

Until then, campaigners had enforced a total boycott on South Africa.

Professor Walsh is survived by his wife Margaret Walsh.

Funeral arrangements are yet to be confirmed.