Ramaphosa unveils statue honoring ‘visionary’ leader OR Tambo

President Cyril Ramaphosa and Dali Tambo at the unveiling of a statue honoring the late stalwart of the struggle and global icon OR Tambo.

• President Cyril Ramaphosa unveiled a statue Tuesday in honor of the late stalwart Oliver Reginal Tambo.
• Ramaphosa described Tambo as one of the “best” leaders the country has ever produced.
• He said that Tambo led the fight for freedom in its darkest and most difficult moments.

President Cyril Ramphosa has paid tribute to former ANC president and anti-apartheid activist Oliver Reginald Tambo, describing him as one of the “best leaders and visionaries” South Africa has produced.

Ramaphosa spoke at the unveiling of a statue honoring the late fighting stalwart at OR Tambo International Airport in Kempton Park, Gauteng on Tuesday.

Ramaphosa said that Tambo dedicated his life to the people of South Africa and the achievement of democracy.

“He led the fight for freedom through its darkest and most difficult moments. He spent three decades in exile, working tirelessly to build international support for the fight against apartheid,” he said.

The president also said that OR Tambo was the voice of the country’s liberation movement, adding that it articulated the aspirations of all citizens who yearn for freedom.

“His name was known all over the world, from Oslo to London, from Accra to Moscow. Oliver Tambo was the architect of our freedom,” Ramaphosa said.

“Thanks to their activism, the people who live in these distant lands learned about our struggle and joined with great pleasure.

Therefore, it is very fitting that this statue was erected here at this airport that bears his name, and which is a gateway to the continent and the world.

“When taking their first steps on South African soil, visitors to our country will see this magnificent bronze gleaming in the sunlight.

“This statue is a colossus, as is the man it commemorates.”

SEE | Mandela, Shaka Zulu Among SA Heroes Honored in Bronze Statues Collection

Ramaphosa said that the statue was a project that had been in the works for a long time. He also congratulated the city of Ekurhuleni for their “persistence in bringing it to fruition.”

“Mayor [Mzwandile] Masina, this statue is part of Ekurhuleni’s audacious vision to see the history of our country’s liberation prominently in the tourist centers of the province.

“Like the statue of the president [Nelson] Mandela at Union Buildings in Tshwane, I have no doubt that this will also become a tourist attraction, “he added.

– Compiled by Jeanette Chabalala