A struggle icon passes away at 92

By Lelethu Mquqo
3 June 2011

One of South Africa’s struggle heroes Albertina Sisulu has passed away at her home in Linden, Johannesburg.

She passes away at the age of 92.
On the 17th of last month, she was still well enough to cast a special vote at her
home in the local government elections.

Ma Albertina was the widow of ANC stalwart Walter Sisulu, who died in 2003.

They had been married for almost 60 years.

Ma Albertina Sisulu was one of the leaders of the march by thousands of women to the Union Buildings in Pretoria in 1956 in protest against the hated pass laws.

Ma Albertina leaves five children who are Max, Lungi, Zwelake, Lindiwe and Nkuleko, and three adopted children.

Meanwhile, the ANC, Cope and the Democratic Alliance were among the first political parties to pay tribute to Sisulu.

ANC spokesperson Brian Sokutu says Sisulu dedicated her life to the party and to the defeat of apartheid and ushering in of constitutional democracy in South Africa.

In its tribute, Cope said Sisulu was one of the “truly great icons” of the national democratic revolution.

Spokesperson Phillip Dexter says life story is the narrative of the struggle for equality.

South Africa is a poorer place for the loss of one of the true South African greats.