Programme director, Mr Geoff Doidge
National Chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC), Ms Baleka Mbete
Former President of the Republic of South Africa and the ANC, Mr Thabo Mbeki
The Tambo and Tshukudu families
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Ke rata go lebisa hlompho ka segageso ho ba lapa la gaTambo le baga Tshukudu.
I also would like to tender an apology on behalf of His Excellency President Jacob Zuma who was initially scheduled to address this gathering but unable to attend due to other commitments in KwaZulu-Natal Province.
It is indeed an honour for me to have been asked to make a few remarks at this historic moment of the unveiling of the busts/statuettes of comrades Oliver and Adelaide Tambo.
These busts/statuettes occupy a place of honour among the trees and flowers which adorn the beautiful garden of this residence. This residence itself is named after our most revered leader, father and comrade Oliver Reginald Tambo, who strode the world mobilising support for our struggle to free ourselves from the racist system of apartheid.
Through his efforts apartheid was declared a 'crime against humanity'.
Comrade Oliver Tambo was ably assisted in his efforts by his dear wife, friend and comrade Mama Adelaide.
'Ma Tambo's' dedication, passion and commitment to the struggle for freedom served to inspire many and ensured that comrade OR provided the inspiring leadership to the rest of the movement as he did.
Her political activism and personal integrity advanced the cause and won many friends for the Anti-Apartheid Movement in the United Kingdom (UK). Her home served as the first stop for many in exile.
'Mama' Adelaide Tambo received the Order of the Baobab in Gold, one of the highest honours bestowed by the democratic government.
Today, our government and society at large enjoy a historically unparalleled practice of non-sexism partly due to the legacy left to us by people like 'Ma' Tambo.
As a mother and a political activist, she fought tooth and nail for a full and unconditional human freedom.
She fought tirelessly to ensure that the rights of women, the youth and the disabled are recognised.
Our history cannot be complete without this family, which chose to forgo the comforts of family life in order to build one big South African family.
It was during the darkest days of the struggle that comrade OR led this fight for freedom.
If indeed the true measure of leadership is seen during times of crisis, then OR's visionary leadership shone through even when a cloud of despair had blanketed our struggle.
In the aftermath of the Hwange and Sipolilo campaigns.
Self-assuredly, comrade Oliver Tambo restored hope and a sense of purpose to the liberation movement through his leadership abilities.
Comrade OR succeeded in mobilising world opinion against Apartheid.
Its declaration as a 'crime against humanity' in the United Nations (UN) is evidence of his great efforts.
As Father Trevor Huddleston put it:
"In the thirty years of exile for himself and his family he achieved recognition from the international community by the sheer integrity and intelligence of his commitment to liberation itself."
Throughout this country and across the world the memory of Oliver Reginald Kaizana Tambo is honoured in many ways.
From our very own OR Tambo International Airport to our National Orders, many organisations have taken on the name of OR Tambo.
The reasons for this are simply that he provided the kind of leadership that inspired and encouraged an organisation, a country, and its people with hope in a time of hopelessness.
His traditional, rural upbringing ensured that the principles of collective and consensus seeking leadership became his stamp of approval.
His ability to listen with respect to all views enabled a culture of debate and consultation to prevail within the movement – a culture that persists to this day within the ANC.
His concern for the plight of poor, oppressed South Africans underpinned his status as a founding member of the ANC Youth League (ANCYL).
Together with Anton Lembede, Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and others they turned the ANC to an organisation concerned with the poor, unskilled and uneducated black majority.
It is the same concern that drives us today.
The Defiance Campaign, the Congress of the People, the Treason Trial, and the Morogoro conference – all major events in his lifetime with the ANC bore the hallmarks of his character.
Throughout this period and until his passing he understood that leadership was not a lifetime prerogative, but a commitment that he served at the will of the people.
This year we mark the 40th anniversary of the Morogoro conference. At the heart of that conference lay the solidifying of the ANC into a truly non-racial organisation.
Those who could not cope with these changes left the organisation. It was to the credit of OR, and the general esteem with which he was held, that the split was contained, and did not spread further.
Oliver Tambo has been described as the 'glue' that kept the organisation together during the dark days when the organisation was banned and in exile; with cadres scattered across the world and lines of communication within the alliance under threat.
These circumstances made OR Tambo realise the importance of ensuring the unity of the movement.
To comrade OR the unity of the ANC and the alliance was one of the questions that always came first among his priorities.
He believed in it and worked hard for it. He built trust and confidence within the whole movement.
In his leadership style he created a sense of belonging to each and every member of the movement; thus making it easy for everyone of us to be ready to do everything in our power to defend our movement and to liberate our country and its people.
Comrade Oliver Tambo gave the ANC its vision through his concrete leadership style. Through the 8 January statements he provided leadership to many of our people inside and outside the country.
His speeches were clear, direct and focused, outlining the vision and direction of the ANC at all times. The message was always clear, unambiguous and consistent with the strategic objectives of the ANC.
Knowing when and how hard the spark should be struck was his strength.
One of the most outstanding characteristics of Oliver Tambo remains that of being a self-less and dedicated freedom fighter who inspired courage and determination among those he led, through his actions.
Because of this selfless nature and attitude he enjoyed the love and support of his followers.
His actions were sometimes daring and courageous. When the apartheid regime slaughtered ANC members and Basotho nationals in Lesotho, Oliver Tambo's courage and resolute commitment was evident for all to see.
Despite the threat to his own life he appeared at the funeral in Maseru to commiserate with the bereaved families and comrades of the deceased. He led by example.
He also remained one of the most accessible and approachable leaders, able to interact with rank and file membership of our organisation.
He listened to everyone irrespective of their position in the organisation.
OR's ideas live on in our Constitution, in the democratic and co-operative values of the ANC and in its vision for a just, inclusive and equitable society, in the freedoms that we enjoy today.
At a time when we are taking stock, and preparing for the next phase of our democracy, it is important that we reflect on their legacy, their leadership and their life and pay tribute to the parents of our revolution, Oliver and 'Ma' Tambo.
I thank you.
Issued by: The Presidency
23 May 2009
Source: The Presidency (http://www.thepresidency.gov.za)
