Media Statement

The African National Congress (ANC) hoists its flag with pride in remembrance of Isithalandwe-Seaparankwe, Oliver Reginald Tambo, the longest serving President-General of the ANC on the occasion of the 33rd anniversary of his passing on this day on the 24th April 1993.

Affectionately known as “OR”, his passing, a year away from the historic 27th April 1994 democratic elections was a monumental loss to the ANC, the country and the international community. A consummate internationalist, pragmatist, unifier and astute leader President Tambo was instrumental in building the ANC into a formidable force, mobilising the international community for the isolation of the National Party (NP) apartheid regime as a racist pariah state and the declaration of apartheid a crime humanity by the United Nations.

At the helm of his leadership he navigated the ANC through complex storms which posed a threat to its life, building it into united organisation whose strategic thrust was to advance, defend and deepen the National Democratic Revolution (NDR) towards the creation of the National Democratic Society (NDS). This society was not Utopian, but rooted in the culture of human rights, democracy, justice and equality. It is this society where we enjoy our freedom under a democratic Constitution pillared on human rights, to advance the vision of the Freedom Charter.

The seed of a democratic South Africa based on one man-one vote germinated on the 27th April 1994, nurtured through a people-centred and people-driven paradigm to reverse to the vestiges of apartheid towards the creation of an egalitarian society. As a country and people, we owe our democracy to his leadership and an unflinching spirit of human resilience even in the face a dream that was never to be due to the complex path traversed since the formation of the ANC on the 8th January 1912 to date.

As we continue with the project of nation building we are reminded by his wise counsel when he said “The fight for freedom must go on until it is won; until our country is free and happy and peaceful as part of the community of man, we cannot rest.” The struggle continues.

The ANC joins the country, the Tambo family and the global community united in solidarity, peace and friendship in paying tribute to a giant.

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