Former Cabinet Minister Dullah Omar dies

Date: 13 Mar 2004
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

Former Cabinet Minister Dullah Omar dies

Dullah Mohamed Omar was born in Observatory, Cape Town on 26 May 1934 and grew up in District Six. After matriculation he enrolled at the University of Cape Town for a BA LLB degree and later became a lawyer, taking on political trials. He joined the United Democratic Front (UDF) in 1983, which led to him being closely watched by the Apartheid government. In the period nearing Nelson Mandela’s release from prison, Omar was his spokesperson. Omar was the first Minister of Justice of the new South Africa and was later appointed Minister of Transport by President Thabo Mbeki. He died of cancer on 13 March 2004 and is survived by his wife and three children.

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01SAHO Dullah Mohamed Omar [online] Available at: www.sahistory.org.za [Accessed on 12 March 2013]
02News 24 Biography of Dullah Omar [online] Available at: www.news24.com [Accessed on 12 March 2013]

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Former Cabinet Minister Dullah Omar dies. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013559

South African History Online (2011) 'Former Cabinet Minister Dullah Omar dies', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013559 (Accessed: 22 August 2026).

South African History Online, Former Cabinet Minister Dullah Omar dies [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013559, (accessed 22 August 2026).

"Former Cabinet Minister Dullah Omar dies." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013559. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

South African History Online. "Former Cabinet Minister Dullah Omar dies." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0013559.