The Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo in Silver

Ambassador Alexander Sergeevich Dsasokhov (Russia) Awarded for:

His contribution to the fight for the liberation of the people of South Africa and the Southern African region. His efforts assisted many young South African exiles both in Africa and the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).

Profile of Ambassador Alexander Sergeevich Dsasokhov

Ambassador Alexander Sergeevich Dsasokhov was born 1934 in Vladikavkaz in the North Caucasus. He has a Master’s degree in Mining Engineering, a PhD degree in History and Doctor of Science degree in Political Studies.

Dsasokhov’s initial contacts with African political organisations and liberation movements began in the early 1960s when he was Executive Secretary of the USSR Committee of Youth Organisations. From 1967 to 1986, he headed the Soviet Afro-Asian Solidarity Committee as its Secretary-General and then First Vice-President.

In this capacity, he was deeply involved in providing political and practical support to the African National Congress (ANC) and other anti-colonial organisations in Southern Africa.

He was a key organiser and participant of many international conferences in support of the liberation struggle, including the Emergency International Solidarity Conference with the People of Angola, Luanda, 2-4 February 1976 and the Emergency International Conference in Solidarity with the People of South Africa, 30 October to 1 November 1976. Dsasokhow had close, friendly relations with Oliver Tambo, Alfred Nzo, Yusuf Dadoo, Thomas Nkobi, Joe Modise, Mzwandile Piliso, Joseph Nhlanhla and other ANC leaders.

Later Dsasokhov was the Soviet ambassador to Syria in close contact with the Palestine Liberation Movement, was chairperson of the Committee on International Affairs of the USSR Supreme Soviet, and was also a member of the Politburo and Secretary of the CPSIJ Central Committee.