Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane tribute to “Mama” Albertina Sisulu during the memorial service in Mpumalanga Province

Programme Director
MECs present
Mayors and Councillors present
Ladies and gentlemen
Comrades and friends

Could this herald the end of a historical epoch? The end to the epic era of the fearless warriors who once walked the width and breadth of our land armed with moral conviction and formidable courage to break the chains. The period of the noble inhabitants who espoused selflessness, revolutionary discipline, and sacrifice.

Is it the beginning of the erasure of the chapter of the peoples’ struggle for freedom, justice and equality from the collective memory of the nation? Or maybe this period and its beautiful narrative is going to remain as an undying musical hymn in the consciousness of the nation so that posterity can honour and continue to sing “Amandla Awethu!” with pride as the song of the downtrodden and the revolutionaries which gave birth to democracy and freedom.

The passing of the gallant fighter and leader Nontsikelelo “Mama” Albertina Sisulu, the Matriarch of the people, should not in any way symbolises the closure to the political narrative of the South African liberation struggle. Instead it should serve as the reminder to all of us who believe in the total emancipation of our people that the struggle is not yet over.

It is our responsibility to pick up the baton left by our great stalwart and complete the race. It is the only greatest honour which we can bestow upon a leader of MaSisulu’s stature. That is, I emphasised, to continue to run the race for the total emancipation of our people from economic deprivation, starvation, poverty, unemployment and infliction by diseases.

Mama Albertina Sisulu was one of the dedicated leaders in our country. She served our country with humility. Discipline and unity was close to her heart. She believed in the principle of collectivism. Although independent of thought, she never sought populism by acting against the collective voice.

Ma Sisulu remained a humble leader regardless of many ups and downs in her political and personal life. It is such high level of political consciousness that we should all strive for and emulate.

As the first woman to be incarcerated in 1963 under the 90 Days Act, the notorious detention without trial piece of apartheid legislation, she never sought fame or entitlement. She continued to work quietly as the professional nurse serving our people who were maimed and killed by the brutal forces of apartheid regime.

Mama Albertina Sisulu never saw herself as above others in terms of social standing because of her professional position in the community. In fact, she saw herself as the operative of the movement called upon to serve her people. Without fail she always went out of her way to help the poor, feed the hungry and give solace to the desperate. She was very accommodative, warm, loving and embraces every child as her own.

It is this kind of tolerance and accommodative attitude that made it easy for her to engage with people of different social stratum and even political persuasion. As a result of her nature, Mama Albertina was able to strike a healthy working relationship with Dr Abubaker Asvat whose ideological proclivity was different from hers. In spite of such opposing perspectives, they worked together because they understood that theirs was to serve and liberate the oppressed masses. It is this kind of level-headedness, discipline and focus that distinguish her from others.

As we call for selflessness, discipline and commitment and the renewal of values amongst today’s leaders, we are reminded of the sacrifices of this selfless woman, the embodiment of these virtues, the Matriarchy, who ungrudgingly gave us her family which in turn made all of us her family.

For this she never clamoured for recognition or reward, because she understood that her contribution and role was never to be a debt in the books of the South Africa but an invaluable service whose value can only be equated and rewarded by transforming the conditions under which our people live.

Programme Director,

There is no better way in which we can show respect and honour to MaSisulu than this. She radiated untainted love which she dispensed to all and sundry as though they were her own flesh and blood. Indeed, she was the Mother of the Nation. The nation has lost one of its revered giants. The void she left is too wide and deep for any to fill. Because she was not only a matriarch but a source of strength and inspiration to all whose inclination is freedom, justice and democracy.

So as we celebrate the life lived in full, the journey travelled with grandeur, we must pause and reflect on what lessons we can draw from Mama Sisulu’s world. Her world was the world of love. So we can in turn learn to love one another unreservedly; conduct ourselves with dignity and discipline at all times.

If we are true to her spirit, we therefore need to commit and achieve all of these things that MaSisulu lived for. I believe that this is the greatest gift we can ever give in honour of her legacy.

Lala Ngoxolo, Mama. We will always miss you.

Malibongwe!

Source: Gauteng Provincial Government