WATCH: Joburg mayor and deputy finance minister inspect OR Tambo’s hideout

OR Tambo School of Leadership principal David Masondo and ANC Greater Johannesburg chair Dada Morero inspected Tambo’s secret tunnels at St Martin’s School on October 17.

Both the deputy finance minister and the City of Johannesburg mayor addressed the interested people at the mathematics class where the tunnels are located. Mosondo went into the tunnel to see for himself.

“I understand that OR Tambo used to hide ANC operatives here. It is a very nice place but I’m not sure I could live here. And I don’t know how MK and other operatives who really led the struggle against apartheid survived.

“This is a very important heritage site, which we should preserve. It also demonstrates that our freedom didn’t come cheap. People really fought for it and we should not take what we have as this country for granted. We should build on the foundation and sacrifices made by one of the outstanding African revolutionaries, OR Tambo,” he said.

Morero said when he arrived he met the headmaster, Thomas Hasgspihl, who is very tall and he told him that as a small man he will fit into the tunnel.

“Thank you, headmaster, we are grateful as the ANC and part of the work that we need to do is how we preserve our heritage. Especially the liberation struggle.

“This requires a partnership with the City of Johannesburg so that this tunnel is properly preserved. We do have an art, culture and heritage department and I think they will be excited to see this. It will help to develop the history of Johannesburg,” he said.

Earlier this year, ANC Zone 11 in the Greater Johannesburg Region was notified that a tunnel was discovered at the school, which was formally known as St Peter’s.

This is where Oliver Reginald Tambo completed his secondary schooling and later returned as a science and mathematics teacher. The tunnel is adjacent to what was Tambo’s office at the school and is said to be where he harboured liberation activists.

In the tunnel, they discovered items such as old blankets, memoirs, old newspapers and canned food.

October is OR Tambo Month as he was born on the 27th. Celebrations are planned during this time.

For more information contact Zone 11 secretary Siphiwe Hlafa on 074 298 2219.