Let’s celebrate the life of O.R. Tambo

Letters to the Editor

On 27 October 2013, SA will be celebrating 96th anniversary of the birth Oliver Reginald Tambo who served the ANC as its President for a record breaking period from 1967 to 1991. He later died on the 24th April 1993 from stroke and he was one of the most widely respected senior leaders of the ANC who was entrusted to open ANC external missions.

To accord him the respect he deserves, the ANC is paying homage this month to Tambo and salutes him for his unprecedented dedicated leadership and do so under the theme: “International Solidarity”

It is therefore important that we sit back and highlight the importance of celebrating the birthday anniversary of this martyrdom and what this day really means to the people of South Africa in particular and Africans in general.

As we all know, this year SA celebrates 19 years of freedom and democracy which carries, inter alia, a special significance in SA not only for its democratic-constitutionalism alone but also as a reminder that not so long ago the majority of the South Africans where denied their fundamental human rights by the white racist regime which regime Tambo fought against tirelessly.

This celebration so intrinsic to the experience of personal freedom is something that is universally understood, embarked on and supported by all and yet there may well be detractors who will question the integrity, the motive and the sincerity of my call and may attempt to shift the focus to perceived canvassing for votes.

Nonetheless, Tambo’s anniversary reminds us of the sacrifices he made in ensuring that freedom is attained for current and future generations. It is intended to further remind us all of how precious our freedom is, the need to preserve and protect our democratic gains.

This day in SA comes to represents a rallying cry around the country in defence of people’s freedom and democracy to protest against any unfair laws.

As a result, we must appreciate the fact that we must celebrate this day in reminding ourselves of the great sufferings and loses this great leader suffered, an endorsement to us all and also as a beacon to us to continue to protect this freedom and to strive to oppose any form of attempts to prevent the government from continuing to provide better life for all as dreamt by Tambo.

Although the achievements are considerable in transforming SA from a pariah state notorious for its human rights violations to a country revered for its constitution, it is vital to critically reflect on the steps still to be taken to ensure the creation of a truly non-racist and democratic society as the issue of human rights transcends party politics, and religious affiliations something that political parties like the DA, EFF know nothing about.

However, the key thing is that we must all remain on message to correct misinformation spread by hypocrites, to highlight the impact of our democracy on people’s access to justice, equal rights, and their ability to live freely something that the majority of our people never enjoyed under the apartheid regime and credit must be given to the likes of Tambo in making this a reality.

His celebration must further serves to reinforce the struggle SA has endured to get to this point as befits a democratic country, committed to the ideals of universal rights, freedom and basic human rights available to all firmly embedded in the Constitution which ideals Tambo was prepared to die for if needs be.

If we do not hid to this call, we will be failing in our duty as the people Tambo entrusted with this freedom and the primary message is therefore that it is through the sacrifices of Tambo that a free and democratic SA exists today and we must start to honour his selfless contribution to the creation of a just and humane society for which the ANC is its vanguard.

It is thus upon this background that all South Africans, in their own rights, must dedicate this day to celebrate and acknowledge Tambo living legacies. Solidarity forever!

Mzwandile Mrabe
Bloemfontein