Pretoria — Struggle hero Oliver Tambo will be honoured in Zambia on Saturday for his role in bringing about a democratic South Africa.

Zambian President Rupian Banda will honour the struggle stalwart at a function at the Lusaka Civic Centre. The honour will be received by Tambo's family. Zambia will also be celebrating its Independence Day.

Delegations from Ekurhuleni and the OR Tambo Municipality will be there to witness the event.

The two municipalities will also be making history on the same day when they sign a twinning agreement with the City of Lusaka as part of the 2009 Oliver Tambo Month programme.

Each year, during the month of October, which is Tambo's birthday month, the two municipalities come together to celebrate his life.

Tambo or "OR" as he was known, travelled the world mobilising support for the struggle against apartheid.

He was detained in Robben Island for many years with former President Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu.

"OR", who was born on 27 October 1917, died in 1993 in South Africa after spending years residing in Zambia, in exile.