Deputy President Paul Mashatile urged South Africans to honour the legacy of liberation leader Oliver Reginald Tambo by actively participating in democracy and holding their leaders accountable.
At a wreath-laying ceremony on 27 October at Tamboville Cemetery in Ekurhuleni, Mashatile stressed that Tambo’s commitment to freedom and equality should guide the nation’s democratic journey. The event, held under the theme “Honouring O.R. Tambo’s Legacy: Inspiring Active Citizenship and Responsible Voting”, served as a reminder that the freedoms gained through the liberation struggle come with the responsibility to protect democracy.
“The greatest tribute we can pay to O.R. Tambo is not simply to remember him each year. It is to live by the values he embodied,” Mashatile stated. He emphasised that democracy transcends the ballot box and relies on informed citizens who engage in public life and hold elected officials accountable.
Tambo, born on 27 October 1917, dedicated his life to the fight against apartheid and led the African National Congress (ANC) from 1967 to 1991. While he played a key role in international solidarity against apartheid during his exile, he passed away on 24 April 1993, before South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994.
Drawing a parallel between Tambo and the biblical Moses, Mashatile highlighted that Tambo fought for a democratic South Africa but never saw it fully realised. “Every election is an opportunity to honour those who fought, suffered, and died for the freedoms we enjoy today,” he said, urging voters to make informed choices and recognise their responsibility in selecting representatives.
He called for peaceful expression of political differences, warning against election-related violence and intimidation. “Democracy thrives when political differences are expressed through debate and the ballot box, not through conflict and division,” Mashatile added.
Acknowledging South Africa’s ongoing challenges, including poverty, unemployment, and crime, he stated that while the government plays a central role, cooperation among all sectors is essential for progress. He encouraged citizens to volunteer, support vulnerable communities, and confront corruption, noting that nation-building is a collective effort.
Mashatile concluded that those in leadership must provide vision and serve the people ethically, particularly at the municipal level where local decisions impact daily life. He asserted that the country must strive for a united, non-racial, and democratic society and that every generation has a duty to tackle its challenges.
His closing message was clear: remembering Tambo should reflect in how South Africans engage in the democratic process, how leaders serve their constituencies, and how communities collaborate to build a just and equitable society.
