Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma says the late struggle icon Oliver Tambo contributed to making South Africa what it is today.
The President on Tuesday attended a wreath laying ceremony in Wattville, near Benoni, to remember Tambo on his birthday.
Tambo was the longest serving President of the African National Congress (ANC) and was born on 27 October 1917 in Mbizana in the Eastern Cape.
President Zuma said Tambo was a special leader who treated every issue with great respect, and all his comrades were equal in front of him.
He said Tambo was a rare leader not only in South Africa but around the world.
“He was honest and trusting. His trusting persuaded others to trust him. He was able to see strength where many others could not see it in comrades,” he said.
Tambo was chosen to leave South Africa, to mobilise the world to isolate South Africa and stand against apartheid, which he declared a crime against humanity through the United States Assembly.
President Zuma said Tambo dedicated his life to the freedom of South Africans.
In 2004, the City of Ekurhuleni conferred the Freedom of the City to Tambo and his late wife and struggle veteran Adelaide Tambo.
The city also declared the month of October a commemoration month dedicated to the Tambo’s contribution to the struggle for human development, freedom and the advancement of the people of South Africa. - SAnews.gov.za
President Jacob Zuma attends wreath laying ceremony for OR Tambo, 27 Oct 2015
