Publisher's Synopsis
Dr. Abdullah Abdurahman (1872-1940) was the first person of colour ever to be elected to political office in South Africa. He represented some of the poorest people in Cape Town on the City Council and then the Provincial Council. First winning a seat in 1904, he was to serve the city for 36 years. Beloved by the people of District Six, for whom he fought so hard, Dr. Abdurahman is a forgotten giant of the fight for justice. The grandson of slaves, he trained as a doctor in Scotland, returning to the Cape with a Scottish wife. Nellie and he were powerful partners - and their daughter, Cissie Gool, was among the most important political figures of her generation. Dr. Abdurahman led the African Political Organisation (APO) - the leading coloured party of this period. He was a friend and ally of key political figures of his time: Sol Plaatje, Walter Rubusana, Mahatma Gandhi and W.P. Schreiner. He was a leading advocate of black unity, working tirelessly to resist the onslaught of white r
