By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
27 October 2026 – The African National Congress Veterans’ League (ANCVL) has called on South Africans to uphold the legacy of former ANC president Oliver Reginald Kaizana Tambo by promoting ethical leadership, accountability, non-racialism and effective governance. In a media statement, the league said the principles championed by Tambo should translate into tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary South Africans, particularly amid persistent poverty, unemployment, inequality and social exclusion.
The statement, issued to commemorate the 109th anniversary of Tambo’s birth, described him as a revolutionary whose life was characterised by sacrifice, humility, integrity and an unwavering commitment to the freedom and dignity of all South Africans.
ANCVL president, Snuki Zikalala said Tambo had sustained the liberation movement during some of its most difficult years in exile and under apartheid oppression. Zikalala highlighted Tambo’s leadership during periods of low morale, internal divisions and military setbacks, noting that the Morogoro ANC Conference was convened to help steer the organisation away from the brink of collapse.
He also recalled Tambo’s international diplomatic efforts in the late 1980s to secure support for the Consensus Resolution, which helped establish a framework for negotiations towards a democratic South Africa.
“This is the mark of a true leader and shows what is possible when leadership prioritises the will of the people and trusts them. The league linked Tambo’s legacy to contemporary global political developments, expressing concern about the rise of authoritarian and right-wing governments, violence, exploitation and discrimination against vulnerable communities.
“It also highlighted the role of young people and student-led movements in challenging political establishments in different parts of the world,” said Zikalala.
With elections approaching in several countries, he expressed hope that opposition to exploitation, violence and discrimination against migrants, Palestinians, black people and LGBTIQ+ communities would gain momentum. Turning its attention to South Africa, Zikalala said the forthcoming local government elections would test whether voters believed the ANC continued to uphold Tambo’s legacy and his faith in the will of the people.
“Voting for the ANC should not simply be an endorsement of its liberation history, but should also reflect confidence in its ability to deliver effective governance and improve people’s lives.
“Thirty-two years into our democracy, we have made significant strides, but poverty, unemployment, inequality and social exclusion continue to undermine what freedom promised,” he said.
Zikalala warned that frustration over persistent socio-economic challenges had driven some people towards political parties promising quick solutions, while others had become disillusioned with voting and government. He also raised concern about attempts to blame migrants for the country’s challenges, arguing that complex social and economic problems required meaningful solutions rather than scapegoating.
“The ANC remains the political party most committed to the constitutional principles associated with Tambo and the protection of democratic processes and institutions. However, we stress that respect for Tambo’s legacy must be demonstrated through ethical leadership, accountability and a renewed commitment to serving the public.
“We call for leaders to acknowledge the complexity of the country’s challenges and avoid making unrealistic promises. We further reaffirm the importance of Tambo’s commitment to non-racialism, saying South Africa’s diversity should unite rather than divide its people,” said Zikalala.
He said at a time when social fragmentation and intolerance threaten their national cohesion, they must reaffirm their common humanity and embrace the values of Ubuntu, mutual respect and solidarity. Zikalala said although Tambo did not live to witness South Africa’s democratic breakthrough in 1994, the league said his contribution had helped lay the foundations for democracy.
“We call on South Africans to honour his legacy by defending democratic institutions, holding political leaders accountable and ensuring that the needs and aspirations of ordinary citizens remained central to governance.
“This responsibility extended to the more than 10 000 ANC candidates contesting positions across the country in the forthcoming local government elections,” he said.
Zikalala concluded by urging voters to support the ANC in the elections scheduled for 4 November 2026, presenting the vote as an opportunity to advance democratic governance and resist authoritarianism.
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