It’s all systems go for the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) to render a befitting celebration of the life and legacy of the late icon, Oliver Reginald Tambo.
The month-long celebrations began on Friday, October 9, with the ground-breaking grand finale of the Slam Poetry Festival at the OR Tambo Cultural Precinct in Wattville.
The session will be hosted by the multi-talented poet and actor, Mr Masoja Msiza of Isibaya and Umlilo fame.
The official opening of the OR Tambo Narrative Centre on Thursday, October 22, is set to take visitors on a nostalgic journey through the life and times of Tambo. The centre is housed at the Precinct, which is a National Heritage Site.
The exhibition includes the milestones which mark his remarkable contribution to politics, Tambo’s role in the birth of the democratic South Africa, as well as his personal life.
In preserving the fibre of Tambo’s harmonic flair, choirs from across the EMM will face one another in the Ekurhuleni Regional Choral Competition on October 11 at The Germiston City Hall.
The winner of the regional competition will secure a spot on the big stage set for the annual Ekurhuleni Melting Pot Choral Music Festival, taking place on October 31 and November 1 at Carnival City in Brakpan.
On October 24, over 60 pupils from Ekurhuleni, the Alfred Nzo Municipality, the OR Tambo District Municipality as well as pupils from Lusaka in Zambia will converge at Willomore High School in Benoni for a Schools’ Debate competition.
As it is customary, the EMM will pay homage to Oliver and Adelaide Tambo at a wreath laying ceremony at their graveside, situated at the Tamboville Cemetery in Wattville. The ceremony will take place on Tuesday, October 27.
A memorial lecture will be held in the evening to reflect on the significant role of the political giant.
Culminating the eventful month will be a theatre production on Thursday, October 29, at the Springs Theatre, where audiences will be mesmerised with an opera interpretation of Tambo’s life.
