Issued by the Dr TT Cholo Foundation
The Dr TT Cholo Foundation joins the nation and liberation movement in celebrating the 100th birthday of Dr Tlou Theophilus “TT” Cholo, a veteran of the African National Congress (ANC), trade unionist, freedom fighter, and lifelong servant of the people.
Born in 1926 in Kgakana Village, Ga-Matlala (Limpopo), Dr Cholo’s life stands as a bridge between the early worker struggles, the armed resistance of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), and the dawn of democracy in 1994. His century-long journey reflects the moral endurance, unity, and ideological discipline that sustained the liberation movement through its most trying decades.
From his formative years in the South African Congress of Trade Unions (SACTU) to his imprisonment for 16 years on Robben Island, Dr Cholo personified the values of sacrifice, service, and humility. Upon his release, he continued to organise ex-political prisoners, rebuild ANC structures in Soshanguve, and later serve as Provincial Secretary of the MK Military Veterans’ Association and Member of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature (1994–2014).
“Dr TT Cholo represents a generation of disciplined revolutionaries who understood that leadership is not about privilege, but responsibility,” said theSpokesperson for the Dr TT Cholo Foundation. “At 100 years, his life reminds us that the struggle did not end with democracy rather it continues in our daily commitment to integrity, unity, and public service.”
Throughout his life, Dr Cholo has been a moral compass within the ANC and broader democratic movement. He consistently warned against corruption, factionalism, and ideological drift, urging leaders to return to the ethical foundations of servant leadership. His famous reminder still resonates: “Corruption makes us angry as honest citizens.”
“As we mark his centenary, we recommit ourselves to preserving his legacy and ensuring that his story and that of his fellow comrades — remains accessible to future generations through education, archives, and community dialogues,” said the Dr TT Cholo Foundation Board.
The Foundation is coordinating a series of centenary activities, including public lectures, exhibitions, and intergenerational dialogues under the theme: “A Century of Courage: Renewing the Spirit of Ethical Leadership.”
Dr TT Cholo’s life continues to remind South Africans that freedom must be defended, deepened, and dignified by every generation.
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Dr TT Cholo Foundation Communications Office
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