OR Tambo exhibition unveiled at airport

This historic occasion was celebrated on the day that Airports Company South Africa turned 20. This year also marks 20 years since the passing of Oliver Tambo, whose legacy continues to inspire South Africans and people across the world.

"OR Tambo International Airport is honoured to have this iconic figure who stood for education and selfless sacrifice as our namesake. We always need to remind ourselves about the life and legacy of this revered elephant of the struggle for liberation and be able to inspire the nation," said Unathi Bayatshe-Filils, manager: communications and brand management of OR Tambo International Airport.

Life and history

The Oliver Reginald Tambo Memorial exhibition celebrates both the life of OR Tambo and the history of the airport. Legacy is about life and living and it's about learning from the past, living in the present, and building for the future and both Tambo and the airport deserve to be honoured.

In June this year, OR Tambo International Airport embarked on a campaign in which airport travellers, the public, schoolchildren and Airports Company South Africa staff gathered to be part of this experience by personalising models symbolic of the thousands of people who welcomed Oliver Reginald Tambo back from exile. Over the four-day period, participants were guided through this process by 20 artists from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.

"OR Tambo International prides itself in its rich history. We have a story to tell, of where the airport has been and of OR Tambo, the selfless icon after whom the airport was named," said Batyashe-Fillis.

"We also wanted to document the airport's history from its establishment in 1952 when it was still called Jan Smuts Airport, to Johannesburg Airport in 1994 as part of the new democratic order, and later OR Tambo International Airport."