Oliver Tambo
Born on October 25, 1917, Oliver Reginald Tambo was one of the most important leaders of African National Congress- the group that helped end apartheid and inequality in South Africa. Tambo was born in Bizana, South Africa. At the beginning of his life, he herded cattle for his father, but went to school later in his life. Tambo went to college at the University College of Fort Hare where he studied in sciences. Oliver began to become involved in politics and eventually led a student class boycott at Fort Hare. So, he was expelled from college as a consequence. Tambo returned to school and taught many soon-to-become important members of the African National Congress, or the ANC.
Tambo began to work with Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg. Tambo also began to immerse himself in the ANC there in Johannesburg, too. In 1944, they Mandela and Tambo formed the Youth League of the ANC, or the ANCYL. Tambo played many important roles in the ANCYL and he eventually moved to the National Executive Committee in 1948. In this group, he helped create the Program of Action for the ANC. After the creation of this, Tambo gave up teaching and once again teamed up with Nelson Mandela to create the first black law firm in South Africa in 1952. Also in 1952, Tambo was one of many people who were prison for breaking the apartheid law. Four years later, he was once again was arrested and accused in the Treason Trial of 1 956.
Oliver Tambo left his position as secretary in the ANC to become the ANC's Deputy President. Tambo left South Africa after the Sharpeville Massacre of 1960 to set up the ANC's international mission against apartheid. While Tambo was in the middle of his job for the ANC, he became the president of the ANC in 1969 after the death of Albert j. Luthuli. Through the 1970s, Oliver continued to spread the anti-apartheid mission across the world. By 1990, Oliver Tambo had 27 countries joined in on the anti-apartheid mission. Oliver Tambo returned to South Africa in 1991, when the president, FW de Klerk, released the ban of the ANC. Tambo was elected the National chairperson of the ANC at the ANC's first legal national congress in South Africa.
Oliver Reginald Tambo, however, died of a stroke on April 24, 1993 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Citations:
1. http://www.anc.org.za/showpeople.php?p=5
2. http://www.biography.com/people/oliver-tambo-9501703
Tambo began to work with Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg. Tambo also began to immerse himself in the ANC there in Johannesburg, too. In 1944, they Mandela and Tambo formed the Youth League of the ANC, or the ANCYL. Tambo played many important roles in the ANCYL and he eventually moved to the National Executive Committee in 1948. In this group, he helped create the Program of Action for the ANC. After the creation of this, Tambo gave up teaching and once again teamed up with Nelson Mandela to create the first black law firm in South Africa in 1952. Also in 1952, Tambo was one of many people who were prison for breaking the apartheid law. Four years later, he was once again was arrested and accused in the Treason Trial of 1 956.
Oliver Tambo left his position as secretary in the ANC to become the ANC's Deputy President. Tambo left South Africa after the Sharpeville Massacre of 1960 to set up the ANC's international mission against apartheid. While Tambo was in the middle of his job for the ANC, he became the president of the ANC in 1969 after the death of Albert j. Luthuli. Through the 1970s, Oliver continued to spread the anti-apartheid mission across the world. By 1990, Oliver Tambo had 27 countries joined in on the anti-apartheid mission. Oliver Tambo returned to South Africa in 1991, when the president, FW de Klerk, released the ban of the ANC. Tambo was elected the National chairperson of the ANC at the ANC's first legal national congress in South Africa.
Oliver Reginald Tambo, however, died of a stroke on April 24, 1993 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Citations:
1. http://www.anc.org.za/showpeople.php?p=5
2. http://www.biography.com/people/oliver-tambo-9501703