South Africa mourns anti-apartheid figure Albertina Sisulu

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South Africa mourns anti-apartheid figure Albertina Sisulu

2011-06-03 19:08:35 GMT+7 (ICT)

JOHANNESBURG (BNO NEWS) -- South Africa is mourning the death of anti-apartheid activist Albertina Sisulu, who died at her home in Johannesburg on Thursday evening. She was 92.

Albertina Sisulu was the widow of fellow anti-apartheid activist Walter Sisulu, who died in May 2003 and was both a friend and mentor of former South African President Nelson Mandela. Albertina was previously chosen as one of the "Great South Africans" and was active in the women's league of the African National Congress (ANC).

"Mama Sisulu has over the decades been a pillar of strength not only for the Sisulu family but also the entire liberation Movement as she reared, counselled, nursed and educated most of the leaders and founders of the democratic South Africa," South African President Jacob Zuma said on Friday.

Zuma said South Africa must 'thank Albertina profoundly for the selfless service' to all South Africans and humanity at large. "For her generosity of spirit and for teaching the nation humility, respect for human dignity and compassion for the weak, the poor and the downtrodden," Zuma added.

A former president of the United Democratic Front and together with her late husband, Albertina dedicated her entire adult life to the struggle for liberation in South Africa, in the process enduring decades of banishment, detention, humiliation and ultimately exile, where the Sisulu's spent most of their lives as ambassadors and leaders of the ANC.

"On behalf of Government and the people of South Africa, we would like to convey our deepest condolences to the Sisulu family and thank them profusely for dedicating their daughter, mother and grandmother to the service of humanity," Zuma added.

In a statement, ANC said it is 'overcome with a deep sense of sadness' after hearing of Albertina's death. "While the family has lost a mother, a grand-mother and a great grand-mother, the ANC and the country have lost an irreplaceable leader, a role model and a constant reminder of dedication and selflessness. She embodied grace and humility," the party said in a statement.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation also offered its 'deepest condolences' on the passing of Albertina. "A stalwart in our freedom struggle and in the early years of our new democracy and a pillar of strength for the Sisulu family when her husband Walter was in jail, she served as an example of selflessness and service," the foundation said in a statement. "South Africa has lost a treasure."

In 2003, Nelson Mandela described Albertina as wise and wonderful. "She deserves so much credit for the quality of a life of service that Walter led. Her own sacrifice and service deserve as much of our respect and recognition," Mandela said during a speech.

Last week, one of Mandela's old friends and a key figure in the anti-apartheid movement, Arthur Goldreich, died in Israel at the age of 82. He was a political activist who became a member of the Umkhonto weSizwe (MK), the armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC) which fought against the South African apartheid government.

Goldreich and his family in 1961 provided refuge at their home on Liliesleaf Farm in Rivonia to Mandela and other freedom fighters. Mandela later became South Africa's first post-Apartheid president.

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