The OR Tambo Homage Concert (ORTHC), a legacy event honouring the life and values of struggle icon Oliver Reginald Tambo, is making a powerful comeback in 2025 with unprecedented support and record-breaking ticket sales. Launched in June 2016, the concert has grown to become one of the Eastern Cape’s most influential cultural events, uplifting the rural town of Bizana and inspiring a generation of young creatives and performers.
Now in its seventh instalment, the ORTHC was founded by Mr. Nkokheli Twabu, affectionately known as Volo Da Saint. A Bizana-born entrepreneur and artist, Volo envisioned the concert as a platform for both celebrating the legacy of OR Tambo and empowering local communities through arts, music, and culture. Since its inception, the event has become a December calendar highlight in the Pondoland region, with thousands of fans travelling from all over the country to attend.
The event has not been without its challenges. After its inaugural launch in 2016, the ORTHC paused in 2017 to mark the centenary celebrations of OR Tambo’s birth and resumed in 2018. However, like many live events globally, it was halted again due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020. Despite these interruptions, the event has successfully hosted six editions, each one growing in reach, attendance, and national recognition.
In a recent conversation, Volo reflected on the journey. “When we started this in 2016, we wanted to create something meaningful for Bizana. Originally, we hoped to honour both OR Tambo and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, but we couldn’t secure the appropriate permissions for her name. Fortunately, the Tambo family supported us from the beginning, and we proceeded with OR Tambo as the face of the festival,” he explained.
Given the nature of intellectual property theft in the entertainment industry, Volo and his team went the extra mile to trademark the ORTHC, ensuring that no other entity could claim or replicate the brand. “Ideas can easily be stolen, and we had to make sure the OR Tambo Homage Concert remains uniquely ours,” he said.
Building something of this magnitude from scratch in a small town came with heavy opposition.
“It hasn’t been easy. There were people who actively tried to block the event. Some of the hardest battles weren’t just logistical — they were personal and political. People from our own community sometimes acted as gatekeepers. But I’ve learned to keep my focus on our vision. I don’t spend energy on the naysayers.”
Among all the editions of the concert, Volo recalls the 2019 ORTHC as the most iconic. That year’s headliner was none other than Cassper Nyovest, one of the biggest names in South African hip-hop at the time. “Cassper was at the top of his game. You had him and AKA dominating the charts. Bringing someone like that to Bizana was unheard of. It was also the time when the event faced the most backlash. But the negativity just fueled us. I wanted to prove that a small rural town like Bizana could host a world-class event.”
For Volo, the event is more than entertainment — it’s a tool for development and tourism. He believes the ORTHC has helped to put Bizana on the map, attracting interest not just from fans, but also from potential investors and government stakeholders. “People are beginning to see what Bizana has to offer: our untouched Wild Coast, fertile agricultural land, waterfalls, beaches, dams, lakes, and hills. There’s so much untapped potential here, and through the ORTHC, we’ve sparked national interest in the town’s possibilities.”
This renewed interest has even influenced local media like Pondoland Times to begin publishing more content highlighting Bizana and surrounding regions as a viable destination for tourism and investment.
What started as a passion project has now evolved into a platform with economic and cultural impact. The concert has always reserved space for emerging talent, and Volo insists that at least 10 local artists are booked to perform at every edition.
“I believe in our local talent. It’s very important to be given a big platform because those opportunities don’t come every day. When we booked the late Yolanda Nyembezi, she was so excited to finally be part of something that resonated with her identity and community.”
Volo credits his background for the vision behind the concert. Born and raised in Bizana, he attended Ntsingizi Junior Secondary School and later Nongeke Senior Secondary School. His exposure to the entertainment scene in Johannesburg during his university years inspired him to bring those ideas home. “I saw what was possible in big cities and asked myself: why not Bizana? Why must we always be left behind?”
Today, the ORTHC brand is closely associated with Volo Da Saint, and that synergy has led to further opportunities. “Sometimes I get bookings just because people associate me with the ORTHC. The brand has grown beyond an event — it’s now a movement.”
As the 2025 edition approaches, Volo says that for the first time, the team hasn’t had to put up street posters. “That’s the power of community. We’ve earned the trust of the people. They own this event now.” He added that the social media reception since his early announcement in Q1 has been overwhelming, with ticket sales reaching new highs.
“My message to the people of Bizana is simple: I will not let you down. Thank you for your support over the years. This is your concert — own it, celebrate it, and let’s make history together.”
With such passion, persistence, and deep-rooted pride in his hometown, it’s clear that the OR Tambo Homage Concert is more than just an annual event — it’s a legacy in motion.
USE THIS LINK TO BOOK TICKETS: https://computicket.com/event/o_r_tambo_homage_concert_/b8632735-9218-4bf5-80b2-f702bbaba49f
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