The Herald : News

Thousands attend Dullah Omar’s funeral

Cape Town – THOUSANDS of people, mainly Muslim, converged on the Vygieskraal Stadium in Rylands here on Saturday afternoon for the funeral ceremony of Transport Minister Dullah Omar, who died earlier in the day.

In Muslim tradition, adherents of the faith are buried before sunset on the day of their death. President Thabo Mbeki, Deputy President Jacob Zuma, former president Nelson Mandela, most of the Cabinet, several premiers, and other VIPs were among those attending the funeral.

Paying tribute to Mr Omar, Mr Mbeki said the task was to follow in his footsteps.

But this would be a difficult task “because it was difficult to be as humble as he had been”.

The April 14 elections should serve as a tribute to Mr Omar, he said.

Care had to be taken that the election was handled with “a dignity and seriousness that belongs to a Dullah Omar”. In this respect, it had to be ensured that every voter had the opportunity to freely support the party of their choice, Mr Mbeki said.

African National Congress secretary general Kgalema Motlanthe said Mr Omar was a builder, unifier and a patriot, who personified humility and unity.

He had not only given his entire adult life to the South African people, but had remained harnessed to the struggle to uplift the lives of people, Mr Motlanthe said.

Funeral proceedings commenced at 2pm at Mr Omar’s home, with the Muslim rite of visitation by the local imam.

Following the prayers for the “exit of the house”, the funeral procession walked, in accordance with tradition, the 1,5km route to the Vygieskraal Stadium for the start of the ceremony.

Unlike usual state funerals, the family decided to dispense with a gun carriage, and Mr Omar’s body was transported to the stadium in a traditional Muslim bier.

The military guard of honour was provided by the navy. On arrival at the stadium, the bier was placed in front of the Muslim congregation, facing towards Mecca.

The traditional Muslim funeral, conducted by several senior clerics, preceded the tributes by Mr Mbeki, Mr Motlanthe, and Mr Mandela.

Shortly after 5pm, Mr Omar’s bier was carried by close family members to the Vygieskraal Cemetery.

He was laid to rest in the traditional Muslim fashion, on his right side in the grave facing Mecca.

Earlier, Western Cape ANC leader Ebrahim Rasool said it was Mr Omar’s wish to have a “very simple burial”, and to be laid to rest in a simple grave, the same as any other Muslim.

A series of memorial services will be held next week, and official flags flown at half-mast until Thursday.

Mr Omar died in the Constantiaberg Medi-Clinic at 4am on Saturday – just days short of his 70th birthday – after a 15-month battle with Hodgkins Disease, a form of cancer. Condolences poured in soon after his death.

Among those was the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu), which praised Mr Omar as a hero of South Africa’s liberation struggle and a good friend to the workers.

“Dullah Omar dedicated his whole life to our struggle for liberation and democracy, as an activist, a lawyer and a minister.

“Cosatu, workers, and the people of South Africa, have lost a courageous and dedicated fighter who was determined to overcome all obstacles in the path of our struggle for freedom and democracy,” the organisation said.

The Freedom Front Plus added its voice, saying Mr Omar was a respected opponent in Parliament who never engaged in personal attacks on other political parties or opponents.

The ANC said it was profoundly saddened by Mr Omar’s death, adding he was a remarkable leader and a hero of the nation.

“Mr Omar will be remembered for his modest demeanour, his intellect, compassion and unwavering commitment to the cause of freedom in this country,” ANC spokesman Smuts Ngonyama said.

Democratic Alliance national chairman Joe Seremane hailed Mr Omar as a great fighter for justice, both against the injustices of the apartheid government and for real justice under the new democratic dispensation.

Port Elizabeth metro Mayor Nceba Faku said yesterday that Mr Omar’s death was received with great sadness.

“Not only have we lost a sound leader of our government, and not only have we lost a hero of the struggle, but South Africa has also lost a kind and humble servant of the people.

“I am sure that I speak on behalf of all residents of Nelson Mandela Bay when I say that Mr Omar will be sorely missed as a kind and humble servant of the people,” said Mr Faku.

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