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“It is our responsibility to break down barriers of division and create a country where there will be neither Whites nor Blacks, just South Africans, free and united in diversity” OR Tambo

The National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] joins millions across the world in celebrating the centenary of the longest serving President of our glorious liberation movement the African National Congress [ANC], Isithwalandwe/Seaparankoe Comrade Oliver Reginald Tambo.

The centenary of Cde. Tambo presents an opportunity for all of us to further commit ourselves to the ideals and values he stood and fought for. Cde Tambo stood for the obliteration of oppression and injustices throughout his life. He dedicated his life to the struggle for the emancipation of black people against the draconian apartheid government led by the National Party. As NEHAWU, we call on all South Africans regardless of race to ensure that the principles that Cde Tambo stood for do not disappear.

He dedicated most of his life to the struggle for freedom, the building of a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous society. However, the legacy of the apartheid regime continues to be a thorn on the side of our people. To ensure that his ideals lives on forever the current generation must stand up and fight to obliterate the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality.

We encourage all South Africans to join in the fight against all forms of injustices like racism, women and children abuse, poverty, corruption and state capture etc. We all have an obligation to gallantly fight against any form of oppression against the working class and the poor. All peace loving South African’s must emulate Cde. Tambo and be at the forefront of confronting struggles of all oppressed and vulnerable people.

In celebrating the life and times of Cde Tambo NEHAWU will be convening a Oliver Tambo memorial lecture on Thursday 9th November in the OR Tambo region in the Eastern Cape in recognition of his sterling revolutionary leadership and the role he played in the broader liberation movement. As NEHAWU, we will always cherish and remember his words about our revolution and the importance of the Tripartite Alliance amidst the challenges of the moment facing the revolution and the alliance to date.

Issued by NEHAWU