Ebrahim rasool biography of barack

Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool is a former Distinguished Scholar in Residence at Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School for Foreign Service. He worked in the Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, advancing an alternative paradigm to the inertia of Orthodoxies in the face of Extremisms. He is the founder of the World for All Foundation that endeavors to create a world of coexistence and that is safe for difference.

Ambassador Rasool has recently completed a term of duty as South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States of America, an appointment that was the culmination of a distinguished record of Public Service in South Africa. Previously he served as a Member of Parliament in South Africa’s National Assembly, Special Advisor to the State President and has built up extensive experience in various Departments like Health, Welfare, Finance and Economic Development in the capacity of Provincial Minister.

Ambassador Rasool has been the recipient of a number of awards: “Social Services Leader of the Year” Award (1995), from the African Investment Group; “Visionary Leadership and Public Good” Award from the World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists (2008); “Commitment and Leadership in the Fight Against Crime” from Business Against Crime (2009); The 2005 London Financial Times “Foreign Direct Investment (Africa), Personality of the Year” Award; The “Nelson Mandela Award for Health and Human Rights” presented to him by the Kaiser Family Foundation in 1998; and “Indonesian Diasporean of 2012” Award by the President of Indonesia. During his term as Ambassador he also received the Award for his Lifetime Commitment to Human Rights by Shared Interest in New York, and Inaugural Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Press Club in Washington, DC.

Founder of the World for All Foundation, Ambassador Rasool is active in rethinking the intellectual tools for co-operative relations between faiths, cultures and co

Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa to the United States of America

Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool is South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States. His most recent positions have included Member of Parliament in the National Assembly, Special Advisor to the State President of the Republic of South Africa and Premier (governor) of the Western Cape Province.

Ebrahim Rasool has a long history of involvement in the anti-apartheid struggle, including leadership in the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the African National Congress (ANC). He spent time in prison and was under house arrest.

He has been involved in both the Islamic Movement and the Interfaith Movement. He has been active in mobilizing Muslims and the broader faith communities toward a deeper understanding of Islam and faith under conditions of oppression (under apartheid) and currently under conditions of globalization.

Ebrahim Rasool has built up extensive experience in Government, having led various Departments like Health, Welfare, Finance and Economic Development. As Premier of the Western Cape, he was instrumental in attracting foreign investment and making significant strides towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s).

For his contribution to South Africa, Ambassador Rasool has been the recipient of a number of leadership awards. He is founder of the World for All Foundation that rethinks the intellectual tools available to Muslims and faith communities, and creates co-operative relations between faiths, cultures and communities at a global level.

South African politician and diplomat

Ebrahim Rasool (born 15 July 1962) is a South African politician and diplomat who served as the South African Ambassador to the United States from 2010 to 2015 and again in 2025, as a Member of the National Assembly from 2009 to 2010, and as the 5th Premier of the Western Cape from 2004 to 2008. He is a member of the African National Congress and has held various leadership positions in the party.

Early life and education

Ebrahim Rasool was born 15 July 1962 in District Six, Cape Town. When he was nine years old, he and his family were forcefully evicted from the area due to the apartheid government declaring the area a "Whites – only" residential suburb. His family relocated to Primose Park near Manenberg on the Cape Flats.

Rasool matriculated from Livingstone High School in Claremont in 1980. He proceeded to study at the University of Cape Town and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1983, and a Higher Diploma in Education in 1984 from the university. During this period, he became involved in student politics. He was employed as a teacher at Spine Road High School in 1985.

Political career

He soon became involved in the anti-apartheid movement. He held senior positions in the United Democratic Front and the African National Congress. He served prison sentences and was also frequently placed under house arrest. Between 1991 and 1994, he was an assistant to the Rector of the University of the Western Cape and the Treasurer of the ANC's provincial structure.

Rasool was elected to the Western Cape Provincial Legislature in April 1994 following the country's first democratic election. He served as the MEC for Health and Social Services from 1994 to 1998. In 1998, he was elected Provincial Chairperson of the ANC. He was appointed as the MEC for Finance and Economic Development in 2001 and held this position until his appointme

Ebrahim Rasool was born on 15 July 1962 in District Six, Cape Town. At the age of nine in 1972 his family was forcibly moved out of District Six when the apartheid government declared it a “Whites – only” residential area. Despite his youth the event was significant in his life particularly since he was forced to change schools. The family moved to Primose Park near Mannenberg were they were resettled.

In 1980 Ebrahim Rasool matriculated at Livingstone High School in Claremont, Cape Town. He later enrolled at the University of Western Cape for a BA degree. It was during this period that his interest in politics grew and he became a leader of Islamic students. In 1984 after completing a Higher Diploma in Education with the University of Cape Town he took a teaching position at Spine Road High School. From 1991 to 1994 he was Assistant to the Rector of the University of the Western Cape.

After university Rasool joined the Western Cape branch of the United Democratic Front (UDF) and served as its Provincial Secretary for three years. In 1984 he served as National Secretary of the Call of Islam, which had strong ties with the UDF. He held this position until 1994. From 1994 to 1998 he was Provincial Treasurer for the ANC and Member of the Executive Council of Western Cape Legislature. He remains chairperson of the ANC in the Western Cape.

On 22 April 2004, President Thabo Mbeki appointed Rasool to his current position of Premier of the Western Cape Province.