The family of the late struggle stalwart, Dullah Omar, says they are honoured after the University of the Western Cape announced it would be renaming their Community Law Centre after him.

The centre was founded in 1990 under the Omar’s directorship.

Omar’s sister, Rahmat Omar says, “He was well known for his work as a human rights lawyer, defending people under Apartheid.

He also acted on behalf of organisations who were involved in the struggle against Apartheid.’

He played a major role in transforming the South African justice system

“His aim was always to try and bring people together, to identify what the rights are that hold them together and what kind of vision we have for a new society which everybody can work for together.”

In 1994, Omar became Minister of Justice in Nelson Mandela’s African National Congress 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.

In 1999, following the election of Thabo Mbeki as President, Omar became the Minister of Transport, a post that he held until his death from cancer.