On
21 April 2013, the Rodney Family wrote to President Jacob Zuma,
President of the
Republic
of South Africa, requesting that the South African Government
withdraw or
rescind
The Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo (Oliver Tambo Award) to
Linden
Forbes
Burnham, a late President of Guyana.
In
its letter, the family noted that it is critical to examine the
historical basis for this
national
award. In 1998, the South African Presidential Advisory Council on
National
Orders
revised its orders to reflect the spirit of a non-racial, non-sexist
democracy
where
a culture of human rights prevails. As such, the conduct and
character of Forbes
Burnham
juxtaposes the reasons the award was established. The family's letter
stated
that
it was the people of Guyana who made personal sacrifices to
contribute to and
stand
in solidarity with the South African people in their struggle against
apartheid.
A
timely and critical article by Dr. Horace Campbell galvanized
widespread support.
Global
petitions and grassroots action initiated in South Africa, Tanzania,
the United
States,
Germany, Jamaica, Trinidad, the United Kingdom and Canada, to name a
few,
also
called for cancellation.
Consequently,
President Zuma and the South African government deferred the award
indefinitely.
On 30 April 2013, the Rodney family expressed its gratitude for the
immediate
intervention. The family is steadfast in its opposition to the Oliver
Tambo
Award
being given posthumously to Forbes Burnham at any future date.
The
Rodney family would like to thank everyone who expressed their
commitment to
human
rights and social justice by opposing the award. The solidarity and
continuing
efforts
to uphold the legacy of Walter Rodney are greatly appreciated.
