Thousands of people, mainly Muslim, converged on the Vygieskraal Stadium in Rylands, Cape Town, on Saturday afternoon for the funeral ceremony of the late Transport Minister Dullah Omar, who died early on Saturday morning.
In Muslim tradition, adherents of the faith are buried before sunset on the day of their death, if at all possible.
President Thabo Mbeki, Deputy President Jacob Zuma, former President Nelson Mandela, virtually the entire Cabinet, several premiers, and other VIPs and dignitaries were among those attending the funeral.
Paying tribute to Omar, 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 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, Mbeki said.
Mbeki, who had cancelled several of his scheduled election campaigns in Wellington, Paarl, and the University of the Western Cape to be at the funeral, also apologised to those affected for this.
African National Congress secretary general Kgalema Motlanthe said 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, Motlanthe said.
Funeral proceedings commenced at 2pm at Omar’s home, with the Muslim rite of visitation by the local Imam. The funeral was a combination of an official funeral and burial by Muslim rites.
Following the prayers for the ”exit of the house”, the funeral procession walked, in accordance with tradition, the 1,5-kilometre route to the Vygieskraal Stadium for the start of the funeral ceremony. Mbeki was among those walking in the procession.
Unlike normal state funerals, the family decided to dispense with a gun carriage, and 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 Mbeki, Motlanthe, and Mandela.
Shortly after 5pm, Omar’s bier was carried by close family members to the Vygieskraal Cemetery across the road from the stadium.
He was laid to rest in the traditional Muslim fashion, on his right side in the grave facing Mecca.
Earlier, Western Cape African National Congress leader Ebrahim Rasool told reporters it was 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.
Omar died in the Constantiaberg Medi-Clinic at 4am on Saturday morning –just days short of his 70th birthday — after a 15-month battle with Hodgkins Disease, a form of cancer. He was admitted to hospital this week with respiratory problems.
Meanwhile, condolences on Omar’s death poured in from soon after the news broke. Among those, was the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu), which paid tribute to Omar as a hero of South Africa’s liberation struggle and a good friend to the workers.
”Comrade 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 ANC said it was profoundly saddened by Omar’s death, adding he was a remarkable leader and a hero of the nation.
”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 chairperson Joe Seremane hailed Omar as a great fighter for justice, both against the injustices of the apartheid government and for real justice under the new democratic dispensation.
”In his passing, we join South Africa in celebrating the contribution Omar made to our country, both in the fight against apartheid and in the consolidation of democracy,” Seremane said.
Inkatha Freedom Party national chairperson Musa Zondi described Omar as a distinguished servant of the people, highly respected for his humanity and never engaged in political double-speak.
The Freedom Front Plus added its voice, saying Omar was a respected opponent in Parliament who never engaged in personal attacks on other political parties or opponents.
”We pray that his family will find strength in this difficult time,” the party said. ‒ Sapa