Born Oliver Reginald Kaizana Tambo ,in the village of Kantila, Bizana in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. His mother was the 3rd wife of Mzimeni Tambo, a farmer and assistant salesman. He enrolled at the Holy Cross Mission School at Flagstaff. He was a genius and thus excelled in his grades.
Tambo also a very talented cricketer, soccer player and choir member. In 1936, Tambo wrote his Junior Certificate examinations and first time in history, African history passed these exams with flying colours. He received a combined prize money of £50. In 1938 he sat for his matric final exams and passed with distinctions.
Tambo wanted to be a medical doctor, but was turned because of unjust apartheid laws at the time. He enrolled at Fort Hare. He initially settled for science studies. It was during his stay at the university, he met Nelson Mandela. Both were members of the Students Christian Association (SCA). After 3 years, he obtain his B.Sc in mathematics and physics. And received a Diploma in Higher education. Tambo later taught in his former school, St. Peter's. His learners cited him as an "outstanding" teacher.
During this period he met future colleagues and revolutionaries, Anton Lembede, Jordan Ngubane and Walter Sisulu among others. In 1944 Tambo, Sisulu, Mandela and many other young freedom fighters formed the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) with the approval of its president, Dr. AB Xuma. From there, they challenged the repressive system of apartheid. Tambo was elected as the Secretary General of the ANC in 1945. In 1955, he was engaged to Adelaide.
Tambo wanted to be a medical doctor, but was turned because of unjust apartheid laws at the time. He enrolled at Fort Hare. He initially settled for science studies. It was during his stay at the university, he met Nelson Mandela. Both were members of the Students Christian Association (SCA). After 3 years, he obtain his B.Sc in mathematics and physics. And received a Diploma in Higher education. Tambo later taught in his former school, St. Peter's. His learners cited him as an "outstanding" teacher.
During this period he met future colleagues and revolutionaries, Anton Lembede, Jordan Ngubane and Walter Sisulu among others. In 1944 Tambo, Sisulu, Mandela and many other young freedom fighters formed the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) with the approval of its president, Dr. AB Xuma. From there, they challenged the repressive system of apartheid. Tambo was elected as the Secretary General of the ANC in 1945. In 1955, he was engaged to Adelaide.
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