Ekurhuleni – President Jacob Zuma says the late ANC President Oliver Reginald Tambo led an exemplary life and was an exceptional leader.
“We are celebrating a man who was unrelenting to see a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous country.
“We are celebrating a man who was never obsessed with himself and the position he held in the organisation,” President Zuma said.
He was on Thursday leading the wreath laying ceremony of Tambo and his wife in Watville, Benoni.
Annually during October, the City of Ekurhuleni leads a month-long programme of activities in commemoration of the life of Oliver Reginald Tambo and his wife, Dr Adelaide Tambo.
The celebrations of the Tambos was held under the theme, ‘Celebrating the life, times and legacy of O.R. Tambo, 99 years and counting towards the centenary’.
This year’s celebrations would have coincided with the stalwart’s 99th birthday.
Also in attendance were members of the Tambo family, Minister of Water and Sanitation Nomvula Mokonyane and Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Des van Rooyen.
“He was humble, arriving at the office every day and he would greet everyone by name and took interest in the new faces.
“When he got to London, he worked tirelessly to build what was to be seen as a formidable international solidarity movement against apartheid,” said President Zuma.
He said Tambo had the ability to engage and listen to other people’s views.
“He believed that everyone’s opinion must be engaged, regardless of how different they were from [his].
“He believed we needed to persuade the people to support our struggle… That is why he criss-crossed the globe advancing the interest of our struggle,” President Zuma said.
He said Tambo was a leader of substance, who could teach people something new each day.
“He listened to everyone who spoke… He gave time to individual members of the ANC.
“To many who were with him in exile, he was a father, not just a leader and a president, a father who looked after the interests of all,” President Zuma said.
CEO of the Oliver & Adelaide Tambo Foundation Linda Vilakazi said the foundation is planning to design programmes for youth.
“A lot still needs be done to encourage youth to live their lives to the fullest and leave a legacy similar to that of O.R. and Adelaide.
“We also plan on working on programmes in the sector of education as O.R. had a passion for education, [and was] a great mathematician. We need to encourage our young people to take education seriously,” Vilakazi said. – SAnews.gov.za
