October 30, 2006
By Thabang Mokoka
JOHANNESBURG International Airport has been officially renamed OR Tambo International Airport in honour of the former president of the African National Congress.
The country's primary transit point for local and foreign visitors was the scene of a moving ceremony on Friday, 27 October, when a plaque was unveiled as a tribute to the stalwart in the struggle against apartheid.
The Johannesburg International Airport is now named the OR Tambo International Airport
Joining President Thabo Mbeki at the official renaming ceremony were members of the Tambo family, former president Nelson Mandela, political leaders and representatives from the airport.
To a musical performance by Jonas Gwangwa, the new name was revealed, along with a picture of the ANC's former president. Tambo spent three decades in exile.
Tambo led the ANC in exile for 30 years, becoming president of the organisation in 1969 and being re-elected to the position in 1985.
During his time in exile Tambo worked to have apartheid declared a crime against humanity.
He returned to South Africa in 1991 and died in 1993. He would have been 89 on Friday.
Mbeki said that the renaming of the facility was about "our memory of ourselves". He spoke of the need to know where we have been in order to know who we will become.
"Let all who pass through her doors come to learn that she carries the name of one who, rather than curse the darkness of savage oppression, lit the candles that today light our way to a bright future for all our people."
The Tambo family looks on as President Thabo Mbeki unveils a bust of OR Tambo
Mbeki added that the "the millions who will pass through this important junction to many destinations at home and abroad" will be able to say they had the privilege of being associated with the name of an outstanding human being.
The airport is Africa's largest, with some 11 million visitors passing through each year, according to the Airports Company of South Africa.
The airport was also formerly known as Jan Smuts International Airport.
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