REMARKS BY THE HONOURABLE
JEFF RADEBE, MP, MINISTER IN THE PRESIDENCY FOR PLANNING, MONITORING AND
EVALUATION; ON THE OCCASION OF THE CELEBRATION OF THE CENTENARY OF OR TAMBO;
NKANTOLO, MBIZANA
27 OCTOBER 2017
Thank
you, Programme Directors:
His
Excellency, President Jacob Zuma
Premier
of the Eastern Cape, the Honourable Phumulo Masualle
Ministers
and Deputy Ministers Present here today
Mayor
of Alfred Nzo District Municipality, Cllr Mehlomakhulu
Mayor
of Mbizana Local Municipality, Cllr Mafumbatha
Traditional
Authorities present with us here
The
Tambo Family
The
community of Nkantolo and Mbizana
Distinguished
Guests
Ladies
and gentlemen,
I
have been asked to perform a very simple yet important task of saying thank you
to everyone involved in this historic event. Ndibulela wonke umntu othe
wathabatha inxaxheba kulo mcimbi wokukhumbula inkokheli yethu, uOliver Reginald
(OR) Tambo.
When
President Jacob Zuma declared 2017 as the Year of OR Tambo, he challenged the
nation to celebrate the life and legacy of this gallant leader in a fitting
manner. It was against this backdrop that we established a committee to preside
over the preparations. I must express our most sincere gratitude to the
President for having the foresight to appoint such a committee.
It
has been a great pleasure for me to lead the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC)
comprised of leaders from the three tiers of government – from local,
provincial and national. This structure made the coordination of this event
much easier. It also created a platform for exchange of ideas so that today we
can have an event befitting a man of OR’s stature.
In
the same vein, I thank President Zuma for delivering such an inspirational
eulogy to this leader of our people today. The President’s keynote address was
more than a tribute to OR, as it also helped to tell us more about this
towering leader of our liberation struggle. OR Tambo was indeed a colossus and
one of the most resilient leaders of our liberation struggle. Thank you
President for leading from the front.
It
would be remiss of me if I don’t thank my co-programme director –MEC for
Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Pemmy Majodina, also known as DJ Pemzo!
It has been a great pleasure working with you. Thank you for steering the
programme so gracefully and with such impeccable deft and erudition.
I
thank the family of OR Tambo for lending him to the liberation movement. OR
Tambo was forced to leave the country in 1960 to build the ANC in exile.
Throughout the years of struggle he crisscrossed the world, raising funds,
mobilising the world and waging the fight against apartheid at an international
scale. We would not have been where we are today if it was not for OR’s
sacrifices and selfless dedication to the liberation struggle.
I
thank the Executive Mayor of Alfred Nzo Municipality, Cllr Mehlomakhulu, for
supporting this event and welcoming us to this municipality today. His welcome
address epitomised the warmth and the hospitality of the people of this
community.
We
felt connected to the people of this region through the entertainment that was
provided by the various groups. Sibulela iMzamba Belcanto, Imbongi yethu
namhlanje, uThandanani obuya eNtabankulu, kwakunye neDiponono yaseMatatiele,
ngako konke abankwenzileyo. These artists
did not only entertain, but they also ensured that we connect to the cultural
nuances of the people of this region. I am told that later on the popular
group, Jaziel Brothers, will also be performing.
The
fact that this event is held here in this rural village is truly inspirational.
OR grew up herding goats and cattle in these hills and valleys of Nkantolo to
become a global leader. He used to ride on horseback to go to school, which was
a distance away. The story of OR should inspire the community of Nkantolo and
other rural areas to strive for more. Each and every child growing up today
should know that they can be anything they aspire to be. Their present
circumstances do not determine their future.
On
that note, I would like to thank the people of this village for bringing up OR
Tambo to become a distinguished leader that is respected globally. There is no
reason why this village cannot produce another leader of OR Tambo’s stature. I
thank the neighbours who came to support and all those involved in cooking,
cleaning and every aspect of project management in preparation for our event
today.
Our
event today is yet another reminder that OR Tambo can never die. His spirit is
forever with us. He devoted his life to the liberation struggle so that we can
enjoy the fruits of freedom today. Our event today should be a solemn reminder
that our freedom was not free. Martyrs like Tambo sacrificed their lives for us
to be free. We must cherish our freedom and democracy in honour of Tambo and
all those who sacrificed their lives.
Let
us derive inspiration from the incisive leadership and commitment of Tambo. May
his revolutionary soul rest in peace. Thank
you to everyone for making this day a success.
Enkosi.