The Consulate-General of the Republic of South Africa in New York, with deep regret announces the passing on of Mama Albertina Nontsikelelo Sisulu on 2 June 2011 at the age of 92. Ma Sisulu has touched the lives of South Africans at home and abroad in her endless struggles to fight for social justice in general and the emancipation of women in particular. She will be remembered not only for being the wife of the late Water Sisulu, the greatest icon of our liberation struggle who served time in Robben Island alongside with the first President of a democratic South Africa, Mr. Nelson Mandela, but also for her devotion to dismantling the oppressive apartheid system in South Africa.
Ma Sisulu played a pivotal role in the mobilization of women into the liberation struggle in the African National Congress Womens League (ANCWL) which she became a member of in 1948, and in the founding of the Federation of South African Women in 1954. She will also be remembered for her role as one of the leaders at the Congress of the People in 1955 and in the women’s march to the Union Buildings in 1956 to protest against the pass laws for women.
During her lifetime, she served in several high level positions including as Deputy President of the ANCWL, and led the United Democratic Front delegation that went overseas on an anti-apartheid mission in the late 1980’s.
Ma Sisulu will be dearly missed.
The South African Consulate has opened a book of condolence for South Africans and friends of South Africa to sign.
The book will be open from 8 June until 15 June 2011 during working days between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
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