The 4^th annual Oliver Reginald Tambo Memorial Lecture took place on 18 October 2024 at Unisa’s Muckleneuk Campus in Pretoria. The lecture was delivered by Advocate Leah Gcabashe, a highly respected member of the South African legal fraternity and a tireless champion of constitutional law, social justice and human rights.

Unisa Management and distinguished guest speakers

This year’s lecture was centred around the theme "Integrating constitutionalism and ethical leadership to reclaim Africa’s intellectual futures", which underscored the essential values that OR Tambo championed throughout his life. The theme reflected the ongoing relevance of Tambo's ideals, particularly in the context of contemporary challenges facing Africa.

Hosted by Unisa’s Gauteng Region in partnership with the Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation, the lecture commenced with an insightful opening address by Moipone Masalesa, Gauteng Regional Director. She set the context for the event, highlighting the significance of Tambo’s legacy and his belief in education. "For us to align OR Tambo’s legacy with contemporary education, we are saying that his belief was in the power of education as a tool for liberation," she said.

Reclaiming Tambo's vision for inclusive education

She continued: "OR Tambo was an educator before he became a freedom fighter, and he consistently championed education as a means to dismantle apartheid and build a more equitable South Africa. To honour Tambo's legacy, it is crucial that we reclaim his vision for inclusive and transformative education. I am very happy that here at Unisa we are emphasising that we must teach and learn in our own languages."

Masalesa pointed out that research has proven the effectiveness of learning in one's mother tongue, as it significantly improves academic performance and retention of knowledge.

Empowering youth leadership

Masalesa further added that Tambo's belief in the power of youth was unwavering as he recognised that the future of South Africa rested on the shoulders of the next generation. "By investing in the education and development of young people,” she said, “we can nurture the leaders of tomorrow who will continue to build upon Tambo's legacy of social justice and equality."

From left: Moipone Masalesa, Regional Director: Gauteng Region, Advocate Leah Gcabashe and Dr Matsheliso Molapo, Acting Vice-Principal, Strategy, Risk and Advisory Services

Speaking on behalf of the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Unisa, Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Dr Matsheliso Molapo, Acting Vice-Principal, Strategy, Risk and Advisory Services, said that Tambo’s abilities should be a subject of study at Unisa and other institutions. "His legacy is a case study that could guide scholars in pursuit of reclaiming Africa’s intellectual futures," she added.

Ongoing evolution

In her lecture, Gcabashe referenced landmark judgments that have advanced Tambo's vision of ethical leadership and constitutionalism. She discussed how these cases reflect the ongoing evolution of South African law and its capacity to address contemporary challenges. Through the lens of these decisions, she illustrated how the judiciary serves as a guardian of democracy, promoting social justice and protecting the rights of marginalised communities.

She continued: "From the perspective of ethical leadership, we must reflect on and find answers to the following questions: What has happened to ethical leadership within our families, the foundation of society? What is it that breeds and feeds the contempt we have for human life? Why are some sectors of society calling for the return of the death penalty when we well understand the fundamental value of having sections 10 (the right to dignity) and 11 (the right to life) as provisions in our Constitution?"

Speaking to the point of ethical leadership, Gcabashe said Tambo’s humane approach dealing with human relations is a valuable working model when integrating the intersections of law and morality which underpin ethical conduct. She explained that in expressing his views of the constitutional democracy for South Africa, Tambo insisted that there had to be a Bill of Rights. He was also adamant that women must have a critical role to play in the liberation of our country.

Unwaveringly selfless

Representative of the Tambo Family and grandson to OR Tambo, Zachary Kingston expressed his deep admiration for his grandfather’s qualities. He said: "It is established that my grandfather, OR Tambo, was a man of intellectual rigour and that his unwavering selflessness was a driving force in the decisions that he made and how he fought to advance the country. But where I believe my grandfather shined, was understanding the difference between knowledge and wisdom A prime example of this is when he chose to step back as the face of the liberation movement and place Nelson Mandela in that role. He did this with a clear understanding of the implications and benefits it would bring to society."

Kingston continued: "For all that my grandfather represented, the grim reality is that while he may be with us in spirit, he is no longer present in the physical world. The baton has now been passed to us – the next generation of leaders. It is our responsibility to stand with purpose so that those who follow us can breathe deeply and see nothing but opportunities."

In her remarks, Natasha Allie, Acting CEO of the Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation, reflected on Tambo’s profound legacy. "In considering OR Tambo’s legacy," she said, "it is clear that his vision went beyond mere political independence. He championed a future where ethical leadership and intellectual empowerment would be a cornerstone of Africa’s rebirth. In today’s contexts his ideals serve as a blueprint and a challenge to us, reminding us that leadership rooted in integrity and the commitment to constitutionalism are vital if we are going to take Africa forward intellectually."

She concluded: "Reclaiming Africa’s intellectual futures requires intentional efforts, it requires that we draw from OR Tambo’s selflessness, his belief in the rule of law, and his relentless pursuit of justice."

* By Rememberance Manganyi, Journalist Intern, Department of Institutional Advancement

**Photography by Ian Mabaso, Social Media Coordinator