Dr Abdullah Abdurahman: South Africa's First Elected Black Politician

By (author): Martin Plaut. 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.