Heritage

IT’S OCTOBER – LET US HONOUR OLIVER AND ADELAIDE TAMBO

By Thulasizwe City of Ekurhuleni 636

October is OR Tambo month in the City of Ekurhuleni. As such, a month-long programme with a variety of activities with both political and social influence will be implemented to remember and honour the life and times of OR and Adelaide Tambo.The Tambos, who were once residents of Wattville near Benoni are also buried in the township. The struggle liberation icons were both conferred the freedom of the City of Ekurhuleni in 2004.

Since then the city, working with the Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation, have spearheaded the national annual commemoration of the lives and times of the Tambos. The month of October is also Oliver Tambo’s birthday month. Dr Adelaide Tambo on the hand was born on 18 July, sharing her birthday with SA’s first democratic president Dr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

“This is an opportunity for the city to showcase our rich heritage and remind many, especially the younger generations, about the role leaders like OR and Dr Adelaide Tambo played to liberate South Africans. Here we are trying to expose the true meaning of servant leadership and selflessness among other traits Tambo espoused,” explains metro spokesman Zweli Dlamini.

“We therefore appeal to our people to seize the opportunity and come to learn more about their own leaders and their history. The fact that we have a lecture, sport and even a school debate demonstrates that we want to reach out to everyone regardless of age.”

OR Tambo, who passed away 30 years ago, would have turned 106 years old this year.

The theme for this year’s programme is dubbed “Commemorating 30th anniversary of the passing of OR Tambo”.

Activities lined up to remember Tambo are as follows:

  • Wreath laying ceremony;
  • OR Tambo memorial lecture;
  • Exhibition of art murals titled “Through the eyes of my compatriots”; and
  • OR Tambo inaugural golf challenge.

More details about these activities and will be shared in due course.