Current ANC leaders must strive to emulate Oliver Tambo and be honest, said President Cyril Ramaphosa at the 30th anniversary of the passing of former president of the ruling party.
Tambo died at the age of 75 on April 24 1993 and was buried in Wattville after suffering complications following a stroke. He served as ANC president in exile from 1967 to 1991.
Speaking in Wattville, Ekurhuleni on Monday morning Ramaphosa said the ANC leaders must have the courage to face reality and adhere to the party’s principles, noting that Tambo should be celebrated as the glue that bound together the members of the ANC.
“Even during the difficult times of exile and internal repression, OR [Oliver Reginald] Tambo was foremost among those who insisted that the policies, the strategies and the tactics of the movement be subjected to broad consultation and discussion,” said Ramaphosa.
“He was determined that we should win support for our cause through the strength of our arguments, through the battle of ideas, we should give others a hearing and we should be confident enough to defend our positions.”
The president remembered Tambo as the embodiment of selfless leadership and humility.
“Throughout his life, he fought to tear down the barriers of prejudice, ignorance and injustice,” he said.
“OR Tambo was determined that the ANC should be a truly non-racial organisation, and today we need to do more that ensures that in its policies, programmes and ranks the ANC gives effect to this non-racial character and vision of the ANC.
“We need to follow his example to build a country where there will be neither whites nor blacks, just South Africans, free and united in diversity as he once said.”
To carry the legacy of Tambo, Ramaphosa said the ANC has to hold fast to the solemn oath to bring freedom and prosperity to the oppressed and liberation to everyone.
“With that, we may be able to overcome the challenges that face our country right now, for we are resilient people and people who do not give up.
“Oliver Tambo could have been tempted to give up, but he did not have it in his DNA to give up, because he knew that what he was doing, he was doing on behalf of our people.”
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