Sequel to Long Walk to Freedom - Revision 2 - Chapter 4 Page 1

Chapter 4 The National Chairperson Oliver Reginald Tambo, fondly referred to as OR by his comrades, a humble but brilliant lawyer and devout Christian, who became head of the ANC when Chief Luthuli passed away, was also a skilful and respected leader, who raised the organisation to a position of strength and influence it had never reached before. * He was a hard and diligent worker who never spared himself, and who literally was on duty twenty-four hours a day throughout the year without taking any holiday. His wife, Adelaide, tells the story of how OR once worked throughout the night. When he saw her dressed and leaving the house, he asked where she was going to at night. It was probably this heavy schedule which contributed to the breakdown of his health. He suffered a stroke which left him partially paralysed. The officials discussed his position, and were all keen that he should make his enormous wisdom and experience available formally to the organisation. We accordingly appointed him National Chairperson, a position he held until his death in 1993. 43