Dullah Omar

Abdullah Mohamed Omar (May 26 1934 - March 13 2004), better known as Dullah Omar was a South African anti-Apartheid activist, lawyer, and a minister in the South African cabinet from 1994 till his death.

Related Topics:
May 26 - 1934 - March 13 - 2004 - South Africa - Apartheid - Minister - Cabinet - 1994

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Born in Cape Town, Omar attended the University of Cape Town, and graduated with a law degree in 1957.

Related Topics:
Cape Town - University of Cape Town - 1957

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He defended members of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) and African National Congress (ANC), and became a leading member of the United Democratic Front and human rights activist.

Related Topics:
Pan Africanist Congress - African National Congress - United Democratic Front - Human rights

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His movement restricted by "banning orders" and detained without trial repeatedly, he also survived plots by the apartheid government to assassinate him. In 1989, he became a spokesman of Nelson Mandela, during the last months of the latter's imprisonment.

Related Topics:
Detained - Assassin - 1989 - Nelson Mandela

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In 1994, Omar became Minister of Justice in South Africa in Nelson Mandela's ANC government, and was the first cabinet minister appointed Acting President in the absence of both the President and Deputy President from South Africa. He played a major role in transforming the South African justice system.

Related Topics:
Minister of Justice - President

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In 1999, following the election of Thabo Mbeki as President, Omar became the Minister of Transport, a post that he held until his death of cancer. His performance as transport minister was generally regarded as mediocre.

Related Topics:
1999 - Thabo Mbeki - Minister of Transport - Cancer

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Of Indian descent and a lifelong resident of the Western Cape, he was married with three children, and was buried with official honours, and in accordance with Muslim tradition on the day of his death.

Related Topics:
Indian - Western Cape - Muslim

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