Nation bids Ma Sisulu farewell

By Lelethu Mquqo
11 June 2011

Thousands of people have streamed to Soweto’s Orlando Stadium for the funeral of the late Mama Albertina Sisulu.

Government has laid on 500 buses and seven trains for mourners.

The South African National Taxi Council provided taxis to the funeral. The service will be addressed by President Jacob Zuma.

Ma Sisulu will be laid to rest in the Crouses Cemetry in Bosmont, next to her husband, Walter.

Meanwhile, a tearful Speaker of Parliament Max Sisulu thanked South Africans for the outpouring of love and respect for his mother Albertina as the family arrived at the Orlando Stadium this morning.

Crowds singing hymns and struggle songs began gathering hours before the funeral at the 40 000 seat soccer stadium in Soweto.

The ANC says nothing has been left to chance during the funeral and the burial later, with the army providing additional security for the hundreds of high-profile guests.