​Thembisa Shologu​
President Cyril Ramaphosa officially unveiled the statue of one of the finest leaders and visionaries South Africa has produced, Oliver Reginald Tambo at OR Tambo International Airport on Tuesday, 27 October 2020.
The unveiling of  the nine-metre-tall, bronze statue which coincided with the  late stalwart's 103  birthday, formed part of  the City of Ekurhuleni's Transport Month activities.​
"It is therefore most fitting that this statue has been erected here at this airport that bears his name, and that is a gateway to the continent and to the world. 
 
"As they take their first steps on South African soil, visitors to our country will see this magnificent bronze gleaming in the sunlight. This statue is a colossus, as was the man it commemorates," said President Ramaphosa.
He said the project had been long in the making and congratulated the City of Ekurhuleni for the persistence in bringing it to fruition. 
"It stands as a symbol of our triumph as a nation over injustice thanks to the actions of good, brave and principled men and women like Oliver Tambo. 
"This statue forms part of Ekurhuleni's bold vision to see our country's liberation history prominently displayed in the province's tourism hubs. 
 
"Like the statue of President Mandela at the Union Buildings in Tshwane, I have no doubt that this one too will become a tourist attraction," said the President.
In addition, President Ramaphosa unveiled the Radisson Hotel & Convention Centre, another tourist attraction in the OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) precinct.
Mayor Mzwandile Masina said the hotel located behind ORTIA is  a massive investment into the Aerotropolis Masterplan.
"There is an appetite from the private sector to buy into the Aerotropolis Masterplan that we are executing, we are expanding our infrastructure including water and electricity as well as bulk infrastructure in general so that our investors do not have to worry about additional water and electricity capacity.