Keynote address by the Deputy President Paulus Mashatile on the occasion of the Oliver Reginald Tambo Wreath-laying Ceremony at Tamboville Cemetery, Wattville, Gauteng Province

Programme Director and Speaker of Council, Councillor John Senona;

The Tambo Family;

Premier of Gauteng Province, Mr Panyaza Lesufi;

Executive Mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni, Alderman Nkosindiphile Xhakaza;

Whip of Council, Alderman Pelisa Nkunjana;

Distinguished Guests;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Good Morning,

The Holy Scripture remind us in Genesis 3:19: "For dust you are, and to dust you shall return."

These words reflect the transient nature of human existence, highlighting that our lives are temporary, and compelling us to do the best we can while we are on earth. 

When our journey comes to an end, it is not our status, possessions, or titles that remain. What endures is the example we set, the principles we uphold, and the contribution we make to the lives of others.

It is in that spirit that we gather today at this sacred resting place of one of South Africa's greatest sons, President Oliver Reginald Tambo.

We gather not only to honour the memory of O.R Tambo, but also to reflect on the enduring legacy of a man whose life was dedicated to the service of humanity, the pursuit of justice, and the liberation of his people.

Although O.R Tambo rests here, his legacy lives on in the constitutional democracy we enjoy, in the freedoms we exercise, and in the values of non-racialism, equality, unity, and justice that continue to shape our nation.

For three decades in exile, O.R Tambo carried the enormous responsibility of leading the African National Congress during some of the most difficult years of our liberation struggle. 

With remarkable courage, wisdom, and humility, he held together a diverse movement, mobilised international solidarity, and kept alive the hope of a free and democratic South Africa.

The sad reality is that O.R Tambo devoted his entire life to the struggle for a free democratic and prosperous South Africa but never enjoyed it in his lifetime. 

Like biblical Moses, who led the people out of captivity into the promised land, OR Tambo championed the struggle against apartheid captivity, but departed this world before he could fully experience the freedom and democracy for which he had sacrificed so much.

He died in April 1993, just one year before South Africans of every race and gender cast their votes in the first democratic elections of 1994.

O.R. Tambo dedicated his life to securing freedoms that he would never fully enjoy. 

He was not alone. 

Thousands of men and women sacrificed their lives, so that future generations could determine their own destiny through the ballot box.

As we continue to honour the life and legacy of President O.R. Tambo, I invite us all to reflect deeply on this year's theme and on the important message it conveys to each of us:
"Honouring O.R. Tambo's Legacy: Inspiring Active Citizenship and Responsible Voting."

This theme speaks directly to the values that defined O.R. Tambo's life and leadership. It calls on us not only to remember his contribution, but also to demonstrate through our actions a commitment to active citizenship, democratic participation, and responsible voting.

This theme speaks directly to the values that defined O.R. Tambo's life. He believed in democracy, ethical leadership, justice, equality, and above all, the power of ordinary people to shape the future of their country.

His passing on the eve of democracy is a powerful reminder that the right to vote should never be taken for granted.

Every election is an opportunity to honour those who fought, suffered, and died for the freedoms we enjoy today. Every vote cast is a tribute to their sacrifice.

Responsible voting is therefore an act of remembrance. It is an acknowledgement that our democracy was won through struggle and sacrifice, and that preserving it requires active participation from every citizen.

O.R. Tambo understood that democracy could not begin and end at the ballot box.

He recognised that true freedom requires citizens who are actively involved in the life of their communities. Citizens who care about what happens around them. Citizens who participate in community initiatives, protect public resources, hold leaders accountable, and work together to solve shared challenges.

That message remains as relevant today as it was during his lifetime.
South Africa continues to confront serious challenges, including poverty, unemployment, inequality, crime, and gender-based violence. Government has an important responsibility to address these challenges, but the task of building a better South Africa cannot rest on Government alone.

Nation-building is a shared responsibility. Each of us has a role to play in shaping the future of our country. I firmly believe that just as you have a responsibility to contribute to building stronger communities, so do I.

We cannot afford to be spectators in the project of building our nation. We must all be active participants. The South Africa we want will not be built by a few individuals acting alone; it will be built by citizens who are prepared to work together, take responsibility, and contribute to the common good.

Those of us entrusted with positions of leadership in Government have a particular responsibility to lead this journey. We must provide vision, direction, and service to the people. we have a duty to lead from the front.

But lasting progress will only be achieved when Government, communities, civil society, business, and citizens work hand in hand to build a better South Africa for all.

Active citizenship is demonstrated whenever citizens volunteer their time to uplift their communities; whenever they stand against corruption and criminality; whenever they assist the vulnerable; and whenever they choose unity over division.

These everyday acts of service are the building blocks of the South Africa that O.R. Tambo envisioned.

As we stand at his graveside today, we should each ask ourselves: What am I doing to advance the South Africa for which O.R. Tambo and countless others sacrificed so much?
How am I contributing to the development of my community?
How am I strengthening democracy?
How am I advancing justice, equality, and human dignity?
The answers to these questions will not be found in our words alone. They will be found in our actions.

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.

Let us embrace our roles as active, informed, and responsible citizens, engaging thoughtfully in public life and serving our communities.

Let us be responsible citizens who exercise the right to vote thoughtfully and conscientiously.

Voting remains one of the most powerful tools available to citizens in a democracy. Through it, people shape the future of their country, strengthen democratic institutions, and ensure that leaders remain accountable to those they serve.

Active citizenship also requires us to uphold the values of peace, tolerance, and respect throughout the electoral process. As we exercise our democratic right to vote, we must encourage peaceful elections and reject any form of violence, intimidation, or lawlessness.

Democracy thrives when political differences are expressed through debate and the ballot box, not through conflict and division. Equally important, once the people have spoken and the results have been declared, we must respect the outcome and allow our democratic institutions to function as they were intended.

O.R. Tambo believed in democratic participation and constitutionalism. We honour his legacy when we engage peacefully, vote responsibly, and respect the will of the people, even when the outcome may not be the one we had hoped for.

If we do this, O.R. Tambo's legacy will live not only in monuments, museums, and annual commemorations. It will live in the daily choices and actions of South Africans committed to building a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic, and prosperous nation.

Today, as we lay this wreath and bow our heads in remembrance, let us renew our commitment to the values for which O.R. Tambo lived and sacrificed.

Let us honour his memory through active citizenship, responsible voting, ethical leadership, and service to others.

In doing so, we will ensure that his legacy remains a living force in the life of our nation and an enduring source of inspiration for generations to come.

As we gather at his final resting place, let us draw inspiration from his unwavering commitment to justice, freedom, human dignity, and shared prosperity for all people, regardless of race, religion, gender, or creed.

We must remain steadfast in advancing the full promise of freedom. Our task is not complete until we have overcome the inequalities, poverty, unemployment, and social divisions that continue to confront many of our people.

President O.R Tambo understood that every generation has a responsibility to advance the struggle of its time. The challenge before our generation is to deepen democracy, strengthen social cohesion, grow our economy, create opportunities for all, and build a society founded on justice and equal opportunity.

As we leave here today, let us do so with a renewed sense of purpose and responsibility. 

Let us build stronger communities and work together to realise the South Africa for which O.R. Tambo and countless others sacrificed so much.

We are the custodians of his legacy. 

We are the beneficiaries of the freedom for which he fought, and we bear the responsibility of ensuring that future generations inherit a country that is more secure and more prosperous than the one we inherited.

As long as we uphold the values he championed, defend our democracy, and we place the interests of our country above our own, Oliver Reginald Tambo lives on.

May his legacy continue to inspire us. May his example continue to guide us. 

May his dream of a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa continue to live through each one of us.

Amandla!

Long Live the Spirit of Oliver Reginald Tambo, Long Live!

I thank you.