Zahra Omar
Cape Town,South Africa
Summary
I'm a South African legal practitioner specialising in public interest law across environmental protection, human rights, and development. My focus is on holding corporates accountable in the extractives and energy sectors. I have a particular interest in advancing sustainable development through the lens of business and human rights, and environmental protection.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Advocate
The Cape Bar
Cape Town
2026.02 - 2026.04
Self-employed advocate (barrister) and member of the Cape Bar practicing primarily in public law, with a focus on environmental law, constitutional law, and administrative law.
Pupil Advocate
The Cape Bar
Cape Town
2025.01 - 2025.12
One-year pupillage programme to train in the skills of courtroom advocacy and litigation strategy. Passed the national Bar examinations.
Attorney: Corporate Accountability & Transparency Programme
Centre for Environmental Rights
Cape Town
2019.04 - 2025.01
- Led strategic public interest litigation, research and advocacy on corporate accountability and environmental and human rights protection.
- Advised local communities, civil society, corporations, and financial institutions, on the environmental and human rights impacts of infrastructure projects in the extractives and energy sectors.
- Engaged with companies and institutional investors on environmental impacts and disclosures.
- Served as the Research & Methodology Lead for the Fair Finance Coalition Southern Africa (a regional branch of Fair Finance International, hosted by Oxfam Netherlands).
- Contributed to regional and international advocacy on public finance and sustainable development.
- Analysed and benchmarked the policies of financial institutions against international sustainability frameworks, standards, and best practices and engaged on implementation.
- Wrote reports and case studies on the environmental and human rights impacts of financed-projects.
Candidate Attorney: Mining Programme
Centre for Environmental Rights
Cape Town
2017.03 - 2019.04
Trained in and provided support to the Programme's strategic litigation and advocacy initiatives on behalf of mining-affected communities and civil society organisations in South Africa.
Education
Bachelor of Laws -
University of Cape Town
2012.01 - 2015.12
Master of Laws - Human Rights Law
University of Cape Town
2022.01 - 2023.12
Occasional Postgraduate Studies - International Law of the Sea
University of Cape Town
2026.02 -
Skills
- Environmental law
- Human rights law
- Corporate governance and ESG
- Sustainable development and sustainable finance
AWARDS
- News24 100 Young Mandelas of the Future Award (Category: Climate Literacy and Sustainability) (2023) awarded to exceptional young individuals in South Africa who are making outstanding contributions to their communities and leaving an indelible mark on the country.
COURSES
- Completing the Picture: Climate Reporting with GRI and IFRS Standards, Global Reporting Initiative Academy (2026)
- Advocacy Training for Human Rights and Public Interest Lawyers, Socio-economic Rights Institute of South Africa & City St George's University of London (2024)
- Responsibilities of Company Directors, Law Society of South Africa (2021)
LANGUAGES
English
Native
Afrikaans
Fluent
French
Intermediate
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
- Research Consultant, Fair Finance Coalition Southern Africa (2025 – present)
- Climate Change Technical Committee Member, Global Reporting Initiative (2023 – 2025)
- Independent Adjudicator, Annual Excellence Awards, Information Regulator of South Africa (2023 and 2025)
PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
Reports:
- Financing Fairly 2024: Are Public Finance Institutions Financing a (Truly) Just Energy Transition in Southern Africa? A Sustainability Policy Assessment Fair Finance Coalition Southern Africa (2024)
- Directors' Duties Navigator: Climate Risk and Sustainability Disclosures – South Africa (4th Edition) Climate Governance Initiative (2024)
- Financing Fairly 2022: Are Public Finance Institutions in Southern Africa Financing the Climate Crisis? A Policy Assessment Fair Finance Coalition Southern Africa (2022)
- Briefing Paper: Information Disclosure & Grievance Mechanisms of the New Development Bank (NDB) Oxfam South Africa and Centre for Environmental Rights (2021)
- Financing Fairly: Assessing the Sustainability of Investment Policies for Development Finance Institutions in South Africa Centre for Environmental Rights (2020)
Conferences & webinars:
- Climate Justice and Human Rights, International Annual Human Rights Campaign Webinar Series, European Law Students Association United Kingdom (2025)
- South Africa's Just Energy Transition Partnership, Fair Finance International General Assembly, Oxfam Novib, The Hague, Netherlands (2024)
- Climate Change and Energy – Public Consultation Webinar for Africa, Global Reporting Initiative (2024)
- Just Transition and Climate Finance: The Needs & Gaps, South Africa's Climate Finance Landscape Event, Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office, South Africa (2023)
- Financing Fairly: The transparency and climate performance of development finance institutions in Africa, United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) Side Event, Sharm el-Sheikh (2022)
Timeline
Advocate
The Cape Bar
2026.02 - 2026.04
Occasional Postgraduate Studies - International Law of the Sea
University of Cape Town
2026.02 -
Pupil Advocate
The Cape Bar
2025.01 - 2025.12
Master of Laws - Human Rights Law
University of Cape Town
2022.01 - 2023.12
Attorney: Corporate Accountability & Transparency Programme
Centre for Environmental Rights
2019.04 - 2025.01
Candidate Attorney: Mining Programme
Centre for Environmental Rights
2017.03 - 2019.04
Bachelor of Laws -
University of Cape Town
2012.01 - 2015.12