Republic of South Africa, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma delivered by South African
High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UN) and Ireland, Lindiwe Mabuza, at
the Book Launch of "Oliver Tambo Remembered," London
16 October 2007
Ninety years after the birth of the late President of the African National
Congress, Comrade OR Tambo, I am pleased that we are marking this occasion with
the publication of a book about his life by those who knew him and by those who
were inspired by him.
More than anyone else, OR Tambo knew the power of words and ideas. I think
he would have welcomed our attempts to share the ideas he held dear and that
the liberation movement as a whole embraced with the wider world. In the
present context of globalisation where the gap between rich and poor continues
to widen, where inequalities persist and where global apartheid exists, his
words will not be forgotten as a thing of the past, but will endure as part of
the living legacy that speaks to the struggles of people every day still
fighting for their rights. The Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda, could have been
writing about this book, when he said:
"Book,
beautiful book,
little forest,
leaf after leafâ¦
building the human castle,
grief interwoven with firmness,
solidarity book passed from pocket to pocket"
Oliver Tambo lives on through all the reminiscences that make up this book.
His words live on, because when he spoke of freedom, he understood that he was
"building the human castle." He knew that it was not enough to champion the
cause of one country, one continent. He believed that we had to stand side by
side with all those people and nations world wide who were fighting for their
freedom, for the right to live in peace, justice and equality.
It was this clarity of vision and purpose that enabled him to say with
conviction, passion and determination that "we who fight for freedom fight also
for peace, so that our children may grow up in a world of prosperity and
international friendship." For he believed that internationalism and solidarity
were the foundations with which together we could all fashion a prosperous
future together.
He fought against racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination. He
pledged support for womenâs emancipation. His was a human vision and energy
striving to improve the human condition in the world. Truly his contribution
has been immense and indeed of epic proportions to the lives of those of us who
were touched by his and to all freedom fighters and freedom-loving people in
the struggle against apartheid and all forms of injustice and oppression. This
is why in the book that is being launched today President Mbeki salutes Oliver
Tambo as "a great giant who strode the globe like a colossus."
President Thabo Mbeki has described him as "a scholar, an intellectual, a
teacher, an immensely cultured person with no traces whatsoever of arrogance,
of self-importance, a rare leader of people." When Kwame Nkrumah spoke of the
"African personality" it could have been OR Tambo that he was speaking about.
The title of each contribution in this book pays tribute to OR Tambo's great
humanity he is embraced as a father figure who could bring out "the humanity in
everyone," "a fearless fighter and liberator" who instilled "a culture of
service and sacrifice," who "built bridges."
When the Mandela statue was recently unveiled in Westminster, former
President Nelson Mandela paid tribute to OR and recalled a time when they both
walked through that very place, admiring the statues of great leaders and
wondering if in the future they would also be represented there. Indeed OR
Tambo's contribution has been monumental. The pages of this book are also
testimony to OR Tambo's great integrity and the genuine concern he felt towards
others, especially the young comrades whom he took into his care. He knew well
that it was the task of each generation to fulfil their mission. This book
itself will serve to inspire generations to come.
I am pleased that today the hard work of our High Commissioner Lindiwe
Mabuza has borne fruit. The publishers Macmillan and the editor, Dr Pallo
Jordan, also deserve our praise for their sterling efforts in keeping the
memory and the ideas of OR Tambo alive. Our greatest gratitude goes to all the
contributors to this unique publication.
I am once more reminded of the words of Neruda, in his poem "Ode to the
Book" when he says:
"We ⦠explored the world.
We joined in the earthly struggle.
What was our victory?
A book filled with human connections,
teeming with life
With men, with tools,
A book is our victory."
Indeed as we continue to consolidate our efforts to build a better South
Africa in a better Africa and in a better world, let this book celebrate our
victories, honour OR Tambo's legacy and also serve as a foundation stone with
which we build a new egalitarian world just like OR Tambo valued international
solidarity.
Long live the spirit of OR!
Long live international solidarity!
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
16 October 2007
Source: Department of Foreign Affairs (http://www.dfa.gov.za)
