A true patriot, builder, unifier, great leader and humblest of persons are some of the tributes that have been paid to the late Transport Minister Dullah Omar.

The former Justice and Constitutional Development Minister, who died in the early hours of Saturday morning, was buried close to his home in Rylands on the Cape Flats yesterday afternoon.

He had been admitted at Constantiaberg Medi-Clinic since Tuesday when his lost a long battle against Hodgkin's disease, a cancer of the lymph nodes, he was diagnosed with early last year.

Hundreds of South Africans from all walks of life packed into the Vygieskraal Stadium to pay their last respects to a comrade, friend, neighbour and colleague.

Several Cabinet colleagues, Deputy President Jacob Zuma, Premiers, members of Parliament and religious leaders also attended the funeral.

Paying homage to the Minister, former President Nelson Mandela described his first meeting with Omar while incarcerated on Robben Island.

Omar was then a human rights lawyer who took up many legal battles on behalf of political prisoners.

"Dullah Omar was a man of his promise, if he promised he would do something, he was going to do it," Madiba said.

He said Omar was attached not only to a political party, but also to the people of South Africa.

Madiba urged all South Africans to follow that example.

Around the country, the national flag would fly at half-mast at all government buildings for the next couple of days.

President Thabo Mbeki said the country had lost a great leader and freedom fighter, who used his education to the benefit of his people.

"It is difficult to be as humble as Dullah Omar was, it is difficult to follow in his footsteps, but all of us have to try," the President added.

He asked that the coming elections be held with dignity, in memory of the fallen stalwart.

The minister, he said, had served the people of South Africa until the end and dedicated his entire life to this country.

"We will never forget the contribution he has made, farewell Comrade Dullah," he added.

Western Cape Finance and Economic Development MEC Ebrahim Rasool said it was the deceased's wish for a humble burial.

The coffin with the minister's remains was carried from his home on Mabel Raod to the nearby Vygieskraal stadium.

President Mbeki and other cabinet ministers joined in the walk.

First Lady Zanele Mbeki remained at the house to comfort Farida Omar, who has been a pillar of strength during the minister's lifetime.

Albertina Sisulu, the widow of the late struggle veteran Walter Sisulu also came to comfort Omar.

At the stadium the SA Navy draped the national flag around the coffin.

Minister Omar was laid to rest at the Doornhoogte cemetery, down the road from the stadium.

As the coffin was carried shoulder high out of the stadium, mourners sang "Hamba Kahle Umkhonto" as the final tribute to a man described as a patriot, humble and valuable.

He leaves his wife, three children, two daughters-in-law, two grandsons and an extended family.

Adullah Mohammed Omar was born in Observatory, Cape Town on May 26, 1934, one of eleven children.

He studied law at the University of Cape Town where he graduated with an LLB degree in 1957.

During his legal career he defended prisoners from across the political spectrum.

Omar was appointed the democratic South Africa's first minister of Justice and Constitutional Development from 1994 to 1999.

He was the first Cabinet member to be appointed Acting President in the absence of both the President and his deputy.

In June 1999, Omar became Transport Minister, a post he held until his death.

A memorial service is scheduled for Thursday evening at the Gugulethu Indoor Sport Stadium. –BuaNews.