FEATURE
Writer: Nosihle Shelembe
Remembering Albertina Sisulu
O
n 9 May 1994, Albertina Sisulu stood up in Parliament to nominate Nelson
Mandela for election as the first black President of a democratic South Africa. It was an historic moment that ushered a new era for the country and also put Mama Sisulu, as she was affectionately known, in the spotlight for a brief moment. But her role in the struggle for liberation of her country can be traced to decades earlier. Sisulu was one of the leaders of the historic Women’s March to the Union Buildings in Pretoria on 9 August 1956 alongside Lillian Ngoyi, Sophie de Bruyn, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa and many others. Although some people may be quick to associate her political struggle with that of her husband Walter Sisulu, the veteran ANC politician who died in 2003, Mama Sisulu was a leader in her own right.
Alber tina Sisulu played an integral role in t he struggle for liberation.
a series of commemorative events.
as a country to their principles by
fighting for the liberation of South
This is also the year that South
building the nation they envisioned
Africans, in the face of detentions,
Africa celebrates the centenary of
when they fought for liberation.
banning orders and harassment.
the life of former President Nelson
She spent almost half a century
As government celebrates the centenary of this iconic woman,
Mandela. Both Mama Sisulu and Madiba
Struggle heroine Like Winnie Madikizela-Mandela,
we take a look at the sacrifices that
dedicated their lives to ensuring a
Mama Sisulu stepped into her role
Mama Sisulu made for the country
better and more united South Afri-
as a mother and became the
to be free from apartheid. The cen-
ca. The 100-year anniversary of the
suffering spouse of the imprisoned
tenary celebrations will run for the
lives of these two remarkable peo-
Walter Sisulu. Like Madikizela-Man-
entire year and will be marked by
ple is an opportunity to recommit
dela, the struggle heroine never
66
Public Sector Manager • July 2018