7 February 2007
The Gauteng government's Executive Council at its regular meeting today paid
tribute to the late struggle stalwart, Adelaide Tambo, and resolved to send its
condolences to her family, friends and comrades. "Ma Tambo", as she was
affectionately known, was an icon of the anti-apartheid struggle and dedicated
her life to creating a better South Africa for all.
In 2003, she received the Gauteng Premier's Women's Award in recognition of
her contribution to the struggle for freedom and democracy for the work that
she did before she left the country to exile and when she returned from exile
following the unbanning of the liberation movement.
"We salute Ma Tambo for her exceptional commitment to the struggle against
apartheid and her dedication to community service and nation building. It is
with immense pride that we call her a heroine and daughter of Gauteng and South
Africa," said the Executive Council.
Born just outside Vereeniging in the south of Johannesburg, she attended
Orlando High in Soweto, where she became formally involved in politics at the
age of 15. She was active in the anti-pass campaign and other struggles of the
1950s before she was forced to exile. Her contribution to Gauteng and South
Africa spanned decades and encompassed a variety of activities. After many
years in exile, she served in South Africa's first democratically elected
parliament from 1994 to 1999.
Her community work included working with the elderly in Benoni and disabled
children in Soweto. In 1997 the Anglican Church awarded her one of its highest
honours when she was appointed to the Order of Simon of Cyrene, in
acknowledgment of her selfless contribution to humanity. In 2002, Ma Tambo was
further honoured when she received South Africa's Order of the Baobab in Gold
for her exceptional and distinguished contributions to community service.
She will forever remain an inspiration to the people of Gauteng and South
Africa.
For more information, please contact:
Annette Griessel
Tel: (011) 355 6859
Cell: 082 563 3614
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Gauteng Provincial Government
7 February 2007
