Oliver Tambo Biography

Oliver Tambo, Politician

Born as	Oliver Reginald Tambo
Known as	O. R. Tambo
Occup.	Politician
From	South Africa
Spouse	Albertina Sisulu
Born	October 27, 1917 Bizana, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Died	April 24, 1993 Johannesburg, South Africa
Cause	Stroke
Aged	75 years

Early Life
Oliver Reginald Tambo, called Oliver Tambo, was born upon October 27, 1917, in the town of Nkantolo in Bizana, Eastern Cape, South Africa. He was the son of Mzimeni Tambo and his wife, Julia. Tambo grew up in a rural farming neighborhood and attended the Holy Cross Mission School prior to getting a scholarship to go to St. Peter's Secondary School in Johannesburg. It was there that he fulfilled Evelyn Mase, who later on ended up being Nelson Mandela's very first better half.

Education and Meeting Key Figures
Tambo was an exceptional student and stood out academically. In 1938, he registered at the University of Fort Hare, an institution that played a major role in the education of black South Africans throughout the apartheid era. At Fort Hare, Tambo studied science, and it was during this time that he satisfied key figures like Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, and Govan Mbeki who later became his close allies in the battle against apartheid.

Professional Life and ANC Involvement
After finishing in 1941, Tambo taught mathematics and science at his alma mater, St. Peter's Secondary School. Throughout this time, he likewise ended up being involved in political activities with the African National Congress (ANC), initially signing up with the ANC Youth League that had actually been founded by Anton Lembede, Mandela, Sisulu, and others in 1943. In 1948, Tambo, Mandela, and Sisulu established the first black law collaboration in South Africa, and together, they worked to offer legal services to those facing legal obstacles under the apartheid routine.

Tambo increased through the ANC ranks and became the organization's Secretary-General in 1955. In 1956, he was among several ANC leaders apprehended and charged with treason in response to the adoption of the Freedom Charter, a declaration of principles outlining a non-racial, democratic South Africa. The trial lasted up until 1961, and all defendants were eventually acquitted.

Exile and Leadership in the Anti-Apartheid Struggle
Following the 1960 Sharpeville massacre, and the subsequent prohibiting of the ANC in South Africa, Tambo was elected to lead the ANC in exile. He left South Africa in 1962 and established the ANC's head office in Lusaka, Zambia. From there, he played a main role in the ANC's military wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), which was established by Mandela and other leaders in 1961. He played a crucial role in acquiring global support for the anti-apartheid struggle, with various nations embracing sanctions versus the apartheid federal government in South Africa.

Political Negotiations and Return to South Africa
Tambo was instrumental in initiating settlements in between the ANC and the South African federal government, which ultimately caused the unbanning of the ANC and other liberation motions in 1990. He returned to South Africa after 30 years in exile in December 1990. In 1991, he turned over the ANC presidency to Nelson Mandela at the company's very first national conference in South Africa because its prohibiting.

Death and Legacy
Oliver Tambo's health had actually been decreasing because the late 1980s, and he suffered a stroke in 1991. On April 24, 1993, he passed away in Johannesburg at the age of 75. His death came just a week prior to the end of apartheid, with South Africa holding its first non-racial, democratic elections in April 1994.

Tambo's tradition as a committed and generous leader in the resist apartheid is maintained in numerous monoliths and institutions that bear his name. He is remembered for his undeviating devotion to South Africa's liberation and for his guidance and influence on those around him, including Mandela, Sisulu, and Mbeki. Oliver Tambo's function in the battle against apartheid stays an essential part of South Africa's history and the global struggle for human rights and dignity.

Our collection contains 7 quotes who is written / told by Oliver.

Related authors: Nelson Mandela (Statesman), Lawrence Taylor (Athlete)

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7 Famous quotes by Oliver Tambo

"We believe that the world, too, can destroy apartheid, firstly by striking at the economy of South Africa"

"Using the power you derive from the discovery of the truth about racism in South Africa, you will help us to remake our part of the world into a corner of the globe on which all - of which all of humanity can be proud"

"It may be that apartheid brings such stupendous economic advantages to countries that they would sooner have apartheid than permit its destruction"

"We seek to create a united Democratic and non-racial society"

"We have a vision of South Africa in which black and white shall live and work together as equals in conditions of peace and prosperity"

"The fight for freedom must go on until it is won; until our country is free and happy and peaceful as part of the community of man, we cannot rest"

"Racial discrimination, South Africa's economic power, its oppression and exploitation of all the black peoples, are part and parcel of the same thing"