Dullah Omar Memorial Lecture
The Dullah Omar Memorial Lecture Series celebrates the memory of a person who worked tirelessly towards, and achieved so much, in realising the goals of human rights and democracy.
The Dullah Omar Institute and the Faculty of Law wish to honour the late Dullah Omar, by instituting an annual lecture on human rights and democracy in his name. As a fighter for human rights and democracy, he leaves behind a rich legacy on which we as an Institute and a Faculty can draw inspiration and guidance.
Read more about the history of these lectures.
The lectures
Over the years, 13 lectures were delivered by 13 remarkable individuals in the presence of Fareda Omar and the rest of the Omar Family. All of them made immeasurable contributions and sacrifices to realise the goals Dullah Omar fought for.
14th Dullah Omar Memorial Lecture with Chief Justice Raymond Zondo
The Rule of Law and the South African Judiciary in the first 30 years of South Africa’s constitutional democracy
19 April 2024
13th Dullah Omar Memorial Lecture with Prof Thuli Madonsela
Reimagining Democracy Through a Social Justice Lens: Reflections on Dullah Omar’s Legacy
16 November 2022
12th Dullah Omar Memorial Lecture with Hon Naledi Pandor
Enhancing a human rights culture in South Africa - problems, prospects, successes.’ | Download full speech
19 October 2018
11th Dullah Omar Memorial Lecture with Graça Machel
A Call for a Nation's Soul Searching | Download full speech
3 October 2017
10th Dullah Omar Memorial Lecture with Hon Tshililo Michael Masutha, Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
Reflections on Justice and Human Rights | Download full speech
19 August 2015
9th Dullah Omar Memorial Lecture with Justice Albie Sachs
Speaking to Oliver Tambo’s Ghost: Twenty Years into Democracy
25 March 2014
8th Dullah Omar Memorial Lecture with Former President Thabo Mbeki
Reflections on Peacemaking, State Sovereignty and Democratic Governance in Africa | Download full speech
16 February 2012
7th Dullah Omar Memorial Lecture with Justice Pius Langa, former Chief Justice
Transformation of the Judiciary
6 October 2010
6th Dullah Omar Memorial Lecture with Ms Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
The Agenda for the Promotion of the Rights of Women in the Next Decade
1 July 2009
5th Dullah Omar Memorial Lecture with Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu
The State of our Democracy | Download full speech
27 March 2008
4th Dullah Omar Memorial Lecture with Hon Trevor Manuel, former Minister of Finance
Human Rights and the Budget | Download full speech
20 March 2007
3rd Dullah Omar Memorial Lecture with Justice Arthur Chaskalson, former Chief Justice
Enforcing Socio-economic Rights: The Role of the Courts
13 June 2006
2nd Dullah Omar Memorial Lecture with Hon Brigitte Mbandla, former Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development
The Rights of the Child: Progress and Prospects
14 June 2005
1st Dullah Omar Memorial Lecture with Bulelani Ngcuka, former National Director of Public Prosecutions
The National Prosecuting Authority and the Promotion of Human Rights and Democracy
22 November 2004
