This year’s proceeds to be invested in education
2012-07-26 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation in partnership with O.R. Tambo International Airport and the City of Ekurhuleni launched the second annual Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Liberation Walk/Run at the O.R. Tambo International Airport today, 24 July 2012. This year’s theme is “Walk to Educate ” and will be one of several events that will be held during O.R. Tambo month in October, including the O.R. Tambo Memorial Lecture which will commemorate the life and legacy of Oliver and Adelaide Tambo.
Speaking at the Launch of the Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Liberation Walk, Honourable Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Paul Mashatile said: “We commend the work done by the Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation to preserve the legacy, vision and values of Oliver and Adelaide Tambo. The work you are doing will go a long way in enriching our country’s cultural heritage in particular our liberation heritage.” The Honourable Minister also added that the Department of Arts and Culture appreciates that this year’s Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Liberation Walk and Run seeks among others to support efforts to provide quality education in some of our schools. He explained that by doing this the Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Liberation walk partners demonstrate how heritage and its preservation can be used as a catalyst for the advancement of our society.
The Foundation was created to promote and advance the legacy and values of Oliver and Adelaide Tambo. Through its pillars, the Foundation addresses issues of socio-economic upliftment and the advancement, protection and promotion of arts, culture and heritage initiatives.
“This walk draws inspiration from the footsteps of O.R. Tambo and the upliftment of education and we see this project as illustrating our commitment to ensuring that decent education is available to all citizens.” says The CEO of the Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation, Mr Mavuso Msimang.
The actual walk will take place on Saturday, 6 October 2012 and is expected to feature professional athletes who will participate in the new 21km half marathon. The race will also consist of a 5km and 10km walk which is expected to have significant participation with the prize money this year totalling R150 000.
Significantly, these distances will trace the footsteps of the Tambos from Ekurhuleni, where they lived before they were exiled for more than 30 years. Proceeds from the walk will be allocated to improving the state of schools and creating school environments conducive to learning.
Ludeke Primary School in Mbizana Municipality, Eastern Cape was identified as one of the beneficiaries of this year’s event. The school was founded in 1914 as Ludeke Methodist School. In 1923, at the age of seven, O.R. Tambo started his formal education at the school. The school was moved out of the Mission in 1983 and two years later, the former Transkei government donated two pre-fabricated chip-board structures to be used as classrooms. Today, pre-fabricated structures still serve as classrooms for the primary school where more than 684 learners attend for their formal education. Proceeds of the Walk will be apportioned to Ludeke Primary to ensure the pupils who attend the school have suitable facilities for learning.
“Airports Company South Africa is proud to partner with the Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation on this initiative. Our CSI focus has been on improving the state of disadvantaged schools especially in the Eastern Cape and this initiative allows us to reach more people while creating awareness for the great work done by the Foundation in uplifting the country’s educational system ” says Solomon Makgale, Group Communication Manager at Airports Company South Africa.
The Walk/Run will start at the O.R. Tambo International Airport in the City of Ekurhuleni, where the Tambos lived and where they were laid to rest.
The Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Liberation Walk/Run Brand Ambassadors for 2012 are:
- Kass Naidoo
- Liezel van der Westhuizen
- Stone Seate
- Uyanda Mbuli
“Ekurhuleni is excited to continue the partnership with the Foundation and the Liberation Walk/Run that commemorates and celebrates the Tambos and remembers their contribution to the struggle for liberation. The lives of the Tambos are a part of our history not only as South Africans but also as the City of Ekurhuleni because they played a significant role in empowering and liberating the residents of this City,” says Zweli Dlamini Mayoral Spokesperson.
Entries for the Walk will open on Monday, 30 July 2012. Entry will cost R80.00 for the 5km walk, R90.00 for the 10km walk and R100.00 for the 21km run. Entry forms will be available at participating sports shops, online at www.tamboliberationwalk.co.za and all information points and retail shops at O.R. Tambo International Airport.
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