Tambo was among those who made a people-centred ANC

Oliver Tambo, who was ANC president from 1967 to 1991, would have wanted to see South Africa free, “her people united and building an equal, prosperous society with no poverty or inequality”, President Jacob Zuma said yesterday, delivering the keynote address at the centenary celebrations for Tambo at Mbizana in the Eastern Cape.

“Millions of our people have access to basic services such as clean water, housing, electricity, clinics, better education, tarred roads,” he said

Tambo was a “consummate freedom fighter and an outstanding leader of our people”, and the longest-serving president of the ANC, he added.

Tambo, who would have turned 100 years old yesterday, died in 1993.

The government has declared 2017 the Year of OR Tambo.

After growing up and being educated in the Eastern Cape, Tambo joined a network of young intellectuals who met regularly at the home of Walter Sisulu. They included Anton Lembede, Jordan Ngubane and Nelson Mandela.

“It was this cohort of young leaders who formed the ANC Youth League in 1944 and developed the Programme of Action which was adopted in 1949. The Youth League, of which Tambo was a secretary, transformed the ANC into a people-driven and people-centred organisation that it is today.”

Zuma said Tambo was sent into exile by the ANC to get international support.

“Lesser individuals would have despaired.” But, Zuma said, Tambo succeeded in building a formidable international movement against apartheid.”