Anti-Apartheid Hero Adelaide Tampo Dies in South Africa

by Jordan Yerman | February 10, 2007 at 10:20 am

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We all remember Nelson Mandela, as well we should, but he is the very first to say he did not work alone. Ms. Tambo was a national hero.

South African political activist Adelaide Tambo, who died last month aged 77, has been buried in her home town east of Johannesburg.

President Thabo Mbeki and former leader Nelson Mandela led mourners, paying tribute to her fight against apartheid.

Mr Mandela said she was "an activist and freedom fighter" and "a mother to the liberation movement in exile".

She was buried next to her husband, the former president of the African National Congress (ANC), Oliver Tambo.

Thousands of people, including government ministers, diplomats and clergy, attended the service held at a stadium in Wattville.

Addressing the congregation, President Mbeki said: "She was a commanding general whose instinct told her to be nothing more than a foot soldier."