Late Guyanese President Forbes Burnham is to be honoured by the South African government with the Order of the Companion of OR Tambo, established in 2002, which is conferred on foreign citizens who have “promoted South African interests and aspirations through cooperation, solidarity, and support.”
During the 1970s and 1980s, under Burnham’s leadership, Guyana played a leading role among third world countries in opposing apartheid in South Africa and helping liberation movements in southern Africa.
According to a press release issued on behalf of his family yesterday, Roxane Van West Charles will travel to South Africa to accept the award, which was conferred posthumously on her father by President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma. She will be accompanied by her sister, Dr Francesca Onu, and her husband, Dr Richard Van West Charles.
