JOHANNESBURG - Have we lived up to what Tambo fought for, or have we betrayed his ideas, values, principles and convictions?
This was the question Retired Constitutional Court Justice Mbuyiseni Madlanga posed as he challenged South Africa to reflect on whether it is living up to the legacy of Oliver Tambo.
Madlanga stood firm in his answer, saying "South Africa has definitely betrayed Tambo" pointing to high levels of gender-based violence in the country.
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He was delivering the OR Tambo Memorial Lecture in Johannesburg on Friday evening.
Themes for the address included "The Mirror, Map and Compass", focusing on ethical leadership, integrity, and Tambo’s enduring values.
Madlanga reflected on the string of killings in Ekurhuleni, which saw more than 10 women killed and bodies discovered.
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He said violent attacks and murders of women and children are not what Tambo fought for.
“The reality is that even without such publicly witnessed waves, we live in the midst of the continuous physical violation and killing of women. This is happening in the face of the constitutional promise of freedom and security of the person…”
In his keynote address, Madlanga also highlighted Tambo’s legacy of integrity and leadership in keeping the anti-apartheid movement united.
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Praising Tambo for his incorruptible, selfless character, Madlanga said the struggle stalwart understood that public resources are not there to amass personal wealth.
“I want to focus on three aspects of Tambo's life and leadership. The first is selflessness, his willingness to subordinate his personal interests to a higher purpose. The second is fidelity, his capacity to remain faithful to that purpose even when there was no one watching closely enough to hold him to account.
“The third is intergenerational stewardship. His willingness to work for and protect a future whose benefits might be enjoyed by people he would never meet."