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Sam Tambani - A political Activist, Trade Unionist and Community Leader
Sam Tambani was born on 26 August 1953, in Tshiozwi Ha-Sinthumule village in Venda, Northen Transvaal (now Limpopo Province). Sam was the first child of Kutama Fridah Tamban i and Nkhumeleni Jack Tambani. He attended primary school at Mukhudwana Junior Primary School, and subsequently enrolled at Sinthumule Secondary School in Venda. He passed Form 1 (now grade 8) in 1969, but unfortunately left school at an early age, due to financial challenges.

In 1979, Sam was involved in the Black Workers Union (BAWU), a progression of the General and Workers Union (GAWU). He became a member of GAWU in 1980 and within four years he was elected as a National Executive Committee member until the dissolution of GAWU in 1987 as a result of the formation of COSATU in 1985. As a GAWU Executive Committee member, Sam represented the Union as a permanent delegate to the Transvaal region of the United Democratic Front (UDF). He was also involved in the earlier initiatives that resulted in the formation of UDF and the rescacitation of the Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC). In 1983, he participated fully in the structures of the UDF and helped to set up branches in Soweto