Celebrating OR Tambo Month
Numerous residents responded to the article last week and requested more information on why and how Ekurhuleni is celebrating OR Tambo month. This came as a surprise as OR Tambo must be the most famous resident of Ekurhuleni. The Tambo family settled in Ekurhuelni after returning from Lewisham where they spent many years in exile.
The city of Ekurhuleni celebrates the OR Tambo month in October of every year as it is the month that marks the birthday of this remarkable South African leader. This month is also celebrated by Lewisham Municipality in Great Britain and the OR Tambo district municipality in the Eastern Cape where OR Tambo was born.
The celebrations are not just a local event but also a national and international event. Celebrating the life of OR Tambo reflects on more than just Ekurhuleni’s dedication to the roots of our City but it attests to the dedication we share as a City for social cohesion and the future of our nation as our lessons and future roadmap lies edged in our past. Ekurhuleni developed various programmes for this month in celebration of OR Tambo. One such event was the memorial lecture on October 26.
Former president Thabo Mbeki impressively presented the lecture on the life and times of OR Tambo and shared the leadership qualities of this great leader with reference to the past and present environment. The City also held a wreath laying ceremony on October 27.
It has become customary in Ekurhuleni that every year during October wreaths are placed at the graves of OR and Adelaide Tambo. These wreaths are in honour of, and pay respect to, the Tambo family following their selfless sacrifice for a democratic South Africa. The OR Tambo narrative centre was also host to an exhibition of the life and times of Oliver and Adelaide Tambo. Ekurhuleni also hosted a gala dinner in honour of OR Tambo. Various other smaller events throughout the City formed part of the month long celebration programme.
I am privileged to have a copy of the autobiography of OR Tambo that was signed by Mama Adelaide Tambo in my home library. I have enjoyed reading it this month and would encourage residents to read this informative book on a remarkable South African. Lets’ bridge the Gap and celebrate OR Tambo. Please e-mail me Diamond.Neil@ekurhuleni.gov.za.
