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Tambo in 1981. Photo by Rob C. Croes.

10 Amazing Facts about Oliver Tambo

Oliver Tambo was an anti-apartheid politician in South Africa. He was born on 27^th October 1917 in a village called Nkantolo in Bizana. He was the descendant of Mzimeni Tambo and Julia. His mother was the third wife of Mzimeni.

His father was a farmer and a traditionist. Oliver grew up in a family of farmers and was tasked to herd his father’s cattle where he took part in hunting birds and sticks fight.

However, his father believed in the importance of western education. He was able to attend school at the age of six and pursue the career of his dream.   

Below are ten amazing facts about Oliver Tambo

1. Oliver Tambo was Intellectually Brilliant

Oliver Tambo 5 September 1983. Photo sourced from

Oliver started schooling at the age of 6 in a school just a kilometer away. He passed the sub-A and attended another school where he was introduced to music which later became his lifelong hobby.

He was sponsored along his journey because his father could not afford to pay his fees. He excelled in grade six and joined St Peters Secondary school in Johannesburg.

In 1936 he did his Junior Certificate examination which he passed exceptionally with a first-class. It was the first time in history for an African student to pass with a first-class.

He also did the matriculation examinations in 1938 and passed with a first-class. He then joined the College of Fort Hare where he graduated with a degree in mathematics and physics.

2. Tambo was expelled from the University of Fort Hare

Apart from his exceptional brilliance, Oliver was involved in leadership positions. While at the University of Fort Hare he was unanimously elected as the chairperson of the student committee in 1942.

Tambo influenced fellow students and staged a boycott over an assorted black women working in the university kitchen. Tambo led initiatives for the students which was not supported by the university authorities.

As a result, the students started a policy of non-cooperation with the university authorities which resulted in to strike.

Tambo and Nelson Mandela among other forty-five students were expelled from the university. At the time, Tambo was the secretary of the Students Representative Council.

3. He began his career as a Teacher

Oliver Tambo. Photo taken by Rob Bogaerts.

Tambo was intellectually talented and wanted to pursue medicine at the university. Although he had excelled to do the course, he couldn’t because Africans were not allowed to do the course.

He, therefore, took forth a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics. After he was expelled from the university he went back to look for a job as a teacher.

He was rejected by most of the schools because of his fortune which led to his expulsion from the university.

However, he went back to St Peters Secondary school where he studied and was given the chance to practice his career. He taught for five years then moved to politics and further studies.

4. He Founded the African National Congress Youth League

Oliver Tambo together with Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu founded the African National Congress league in 1944. Tambo became the first National Secretary of the league.

The youth league was purposed at changing the approach and tactics of the anti-apartheid movement. They felt that the cause by action such as demonstrations and petitions were not sufficient to achieve the movement’s goals.

The youth group advocated for use of different tactics which included strikes, boycotts, non-collaborations, and civil disobedience.

Tambo was made the secretary-general of the African National Congress (ANC) in 1955 and later its deputy president in 1959.

5. Tambo Pursed Law and Qualified as an Attorney

 Tambo enrolled to study law in 1948 and qualified as an attorney in 1951. At the time, the National Party came to power, and laws discriminatory against Africans and Indians were entrenched.

He decided to study law to serve justice to the Africans who were oppressed. Tambo together with Nelson Mandela who was already a qualified lawyer set up a legal firm.

6. He was Exiled from South Africa

Tambo being greeted on arrival in East Germany (1978). Photo by Bundesarchiv.

Tambo was exiled from South Africa in 1960 and relocated to London where he lived until his return in 1990. While in exile, he still supported the ANC and helped mobilize the opposition to apartheid.

After the death of Chief Albert Lituli, he was made the acting president of the ANC. He was able to attract many exiles due to his skillful lobbying and was able to keep the ANC together even in exile. 

7. He Served as President of the African National Congress

Tambo was made the president of the African National Congress in 1967. This was after the death of Chief Albert Lituli who died in a tragic railway accident in July 1967.

He was elected as the president while still in exile away from South Africa. Tambo actively conducted campaigns and conferences to get the support of sympathizers around the world.  

8. Tambo was Responsible for Organizing Guerrilla Units

The ANC organizations led to the loss of life for some of the citizens in South Africa. Tambo together with Nelson Mandela and Sisulu has been mentioned as being involved in the attacks against the South African public.

In post-apartheid, in 1997-1998, Tambo was mentioned as the person who approved the bombing of the church street. The bombing led to the injuries of 197-217 and a total of 19 people dead.

Tambo being the president of the ANC authorized an attack by a special unit called the ANC Umkhonto We Sizwe. The operations were opposed since they were considered terrorist’s attacks which led to many deaths.

9. He Returned to South Africa in 1990

After 30 years of being in exile, Tambo returned to South Africa on 13^th December 1990. This was after the ANC Organization was officially legalized. At this time Tambo was made the National Chairperson of the organization in July 1990.

In 1989 he had a major stroke that affected most of his responsibilities. Due to this limitation of a stroke, he could not perform to his optimum and had to be replaced.

Nelson Mandela took over as the president of ANC while Tambo was given the position of National Chairman.

10. Tambo Died from a Heart Attack

Statue of O.R. Tambo in Arrival section of Johannesburg International Airport. Photo by Olga Ernst.

Tambo died on 24^th April 1993 at the age of 75. This was after suffering complications of a stroke in 1987. He was honored with a state funeral which was attended by Thabo Mbeki, Nelson Mandela, and Walter Sisulu.

His grave was declared a National heritage site. His house was bought by the government of South Africa and made a historic Monument in 2010.

Oliver Tambo was a legend who fought for the independence of the Black and Indians in South Africa. His contribution to the was significant both from home and from exile.

His achievements and reputation have caused his name to flourish over the years. After his death, he was honored and places renamed in his name.