OR Tambo Lecture
On Sunday, October 27, 2019, the Honourable President spoke at the commemoration of Oliver and Adelaide Tambo held in Tamboville in the City of Ekurhuleni. The annual OR Tambo commemoration is aimed at preserving the legacy of the two liberation leaders – OR Tambo and his wife and leader Mama Adelaide – and promote their values and engender a culture of selflessness. This year’s event took place under the theme “Celebrating the 90th birthday of Mama Adelaide Tambo”. The President shared with all that OR Tambo “never sought high office and his lack of appetite for leadership positions should not be confused with the lack of confidence to lead. Tambo persuaded his peers with ease and great sophistication.”
The President stressed what OR Tambo would have wished for the youth today. They should explore the many educational opportunities that the ANC fought for so valiantly, and use these to reach their full potential. Reminiscing that OR Tambo was a teacher himself, President Ramaphosa expressed the view that OR would have wanted hard working teachers to be acknowledged and appreciated. He would have also wanted today’s youth to resist involvement in dubious acts, be responsible, respectful and be of service to their communities. Education is always fundamental and OR Tambo led by example, believing it was the necessary means to fight a racist apartheid regime.
Let us follow in his footsteps.
I thank
