Thousands of South Africans, together with national and international personalities thronged the Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Saturday 11 June 2011. They came from all the angles of the South African compass. They gathered to pay their last respects to a woman who won the acclaim of MOTHER OF THE NATION- Mrs Albertina Mama-Sisulu (1918 -2011).
Mama Sisulu died in her home in Johannesburg on 2 June 2011. As soon as news of her death hit the wires, the country has been deluged by the messages of condolences, grief and support from all over the world. The media has been agog in their praise of this simple woman who stood tall in the world of giants. Each one has been trying to outdo the other with information to feed their readers, listeners and viewers.
Who is Albertina Sisulu? The best person to answer this question is none other than South African President Jacob Zuma. In his oration to the huge gathering at the Orlando Stadium, President had this to say:
“We have gathered to celebrate the life of an outstanding patriot whose name has become synonymous with our struggle for freedom, human rights and human dignity”.
The President continued: “One of the most steadfast, dignified and disciplined pillars of our struggle has fallen, an era has ended, and the nation is devastated. But we are proud to be associated with Mama Albertina Nontsikelelo Sisulu. We are laying to rest a stalwart and mother of the nation, who combined resilience and fortitude in fighting colonial oppression and apartheid, with compassion for the poor and downtrodden.
“We are bidding farewell to a national heroine who produced many cadres for the national liberation movement, and shaped our political thought and actions in many ways. We are paying tribute not just to the wife of our beloved leader Isithwalandwe* Walter Sisulu. She was a leader in her own right – a founding co-president of the United Democratic Front and former Deputy President of the ANC Women’s League.
“In just a few months, the liberation movement that was so dear to
“When we speak of the organisation’s struggle, Mama Sisulu`s name stands out as a shining example. In the book “Long walk to Freedom”, President Mandela recounts that ANC stalwart Anton Lembede**, warned the young bride when she married Tata Walter Sisulu, that the great man we are proud to call our leader, our father and our national hero, was already married to the struggle.
“Indeed Mama Sisulu married the liberation movement. Rather than be overwhelmed by her husband´s political role, she embraced her new found struggle family with open arms. Many of today´s senior leaders in government, politics and business matured under her guidance, care and love. She was their mother and their pillar of strength.
“A most powerful lesson from Mama Sisulu’s life is that there is no force on earth that can stop any people who are determined to gain their freedom. Mama Sisulu suffered persecution, banning orders, imprisonment and harassment by the security apparatus of the apartheid regime, but she never compromised her beliefs. Her husband was sentenced to life imprisonment, she and her children were constantly harassed and jailed. Undaunted, Mama Sisulu continued the quest for freedom.
“We have also learnt from her that the most powerful weapon one can have against detractors, is to rise above them. Despite constant harassment and persecution she remained an epitome of grace, dignity and discipline. Our late mother did not let bitterness engulf her heart. She remained focused on the mission of achieving freedom and justice. She represents many women who had to raise children alone under very difficult conditions whilst the fathers were imprisoned for long periods. Today, our country is benefitting from the fruits of the contributions these women put into the struggle”.
In conclusion, the South African President, Jacob Zuma said: “On behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the Sisulu family. Your loss is our loss, your pain is our pain. Few countries are blessed with a mother of the nation of the calibre of Mama Sisulu. In bidding farewell to this remarkable pillar of our struggle, let us borrow from the words of St John in the New Testament.
I have fought a good fight. I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Hamba Kahle Mama Sisulu”.
Although he was unable to be present at the cere
“Ntsiki, dear Sister
Your children and grandchildren came to inform me of your passing away and instead of me comforting them in this hour of loss and grief, they had to comfort me. It is difficult to describe the pain and sadness in my heart as I bid goodbye to a dear friend and comrade, a sister with whom I shared so much over a lifetime. You are much more than a comrade, you are part of my being – you and Walter.
You Ntsiki, loved and cared for my children as if they came from the same womb as your own. I express my deep gratitude to you.
The years have taken their toll as one by one of my friends and comrades passed on. Every time it feels as if a part of oneself is being cut off. None of those cuts could have been more painful than the loss of this dear friend, you, my beloved sister.
Over the past couple of days much has been said by a diversity of people about your life and work. You are indeed one of the greatest South Africans. You provided leadership and exercised power with quiet dignity.
Through your selflessness and dedication, through your moral authority and sincere humility – during and after the struggle – you rightly earned to be the mother of all our people. I hope that our cadres and people will cherish your qualities, learn from them and emulate them.
I would have loved to be here today to pay my personal respects, but it would be too painful for me to see you go. You are joining our distinguished loved ones Walter (Sisulu), Oliver (Tambo), Adelaide (Tambo), Govan (Mbeki), Lilian (Ngoyi), Helen (Joseph) and others. I smile when I imagine how you all join hands and hold a leadership caucus and look down on us from an ANC branch – always with the unity of our nation and the progress of our continent at the top of the agenda.
Hamba Kahle, Ntsiki. Thank you for your love and the life we shared. A big hug to all our comrades.
Your brother (Madiba)”:
*This is made from the feathers of a rare bird and is the highest award of the ANC
** Lembede, together with Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Oliver Tambo, Duma Nokwe, Robert Resha and others formed the ANC Youth League in the early 1940s.