Abdullah Abdurahman, medical doctor and Cape community leader, dies in Cape Town

Date: 20 Feb 1940
Updated: 17 Feb 2020

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdullah_Abdurahman

Dr Abdullah Abdurahman, medical doctor and Cape community leader, died on this day at the age of 69. Founder and leader of the anti-apartheid African People's Organisation (APO), he was the first non-White to become a member of the Cape Town City Council (from 1905-1940). His death raised concern within the Black, Coloured and Indian communities, as he was a well-known human rights campaigner. The Standard and Imvo Zabantsundu (Black Opinion) newspaper hailed him as a great leader who was at all times available to address the needs of Black, Indian and Coloured communities. Some tributes to Abdurahman also came from unexpected sources such as from General J.B.M. Hertzog and General J.C. Smuts. In June 1999, President Nelson Mandela posthumously honoured Abdurahman by awarding him the Order for Meritorious Service: Class I (Gold).

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How we know this

01who'swho, Dr. Abdullah Abdurahman Biography profile, who'swho southern africa, [online], Available at whoswhosa.co.za [Accessed: 12 February 2009]
02SAHO, Dr Abdullah Abdurahman, from South African History Online, [online], Available at sahistory.org.za [Accessed: 12 February 2009]
03Potgieter, D.J. et al. (eds) (1970). Standard Encyclopedia of Southern Africa, Cape Town: NASOU, v. 1, p. 4.

Last updated · 17 Feb 2020

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Abdullah Abdurahman, medical doctor and Cape community leader, dies in Cape Town. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011613

South African History Online (2011) 'Abdullah Abdurahman, medical doctor and Cape community leader, dies in Cape Town', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011613 (Accessed: 21 August 2026).

South African History Online, Abdullah Abdurahman, medical doctor and Cape community leader, dies in Cape Town [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011613, (accessed 21 August 2026).

"Abdullah Abdurahman, medical doctor and Cape community leader, dies in Cape Town." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011613. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

South African History Online. "Abdullah Abdurahman, medical doctor and Cape community leader, dies in Cape Town." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011613.