African Union

UNION AFRICAINE UNIÃO AFRICANA

PRESS RELEASE

African Union (AU) Press Release: Chairperson sends a Message of Condolence to President Zuma on the death of one of Africa’s greatest heroines, Mama Sisulu

Addis Ababa, 06 June 2011 - The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Dr Jean Ping has sent a message of condolence to the President of the Republic of South Africa, H.E Jacob Zuma, on the sad occasion of the passing away of one of Africa’s greatest heroines, Mrs. Albertina Sisulu, known by the people of South Africa as Mama Sisulu.

Mrs Sisulu, who died last Thursday, 2 June 2011 at the age of 92, was an icon of the struggle to free South Africa from Apartheid rule and a stalwart of the African National Congress (ANC).

The following is the full text of the Chairperson’s message:

Quote I have just learnt, with a heavy heart, the sad news of the passing away of one of Africa’s greatest heroines, Mrs. Albertina Sisulu, which occurred two days ago.

Mrs. Sisulu’s husband, Walter Sisulu, was of course an icon of the struggle to free South Africa from apartheid rule and a stalwart of the African National Congress (ANC). However, Mrs. Sisulu was, in her individual capacity, an icon of the struggle and a leading light in the fight to free South Africa from the grips of apartheid rule. Her struggle with the apartheid regime, which led to her imprisonment several times, is well known and her contributions to the sustenance of the ANC and its Women’s League extremely important.

 For these and many other reasons, the death of Mrs Sisulu creates a void which will be very hard to fill.

Allow me therefore, Mr. President, to convey my personal expressions of sympathy for the demise of Mrs. Sisulu as well as the condolences of the African Union Commission, to you personally and in your capacity as the President of the ANC and of the Republic.

I also request that you kindly convey our sympathies and condolences to the Sisulu family who should be very proud of the legacy left behind by the Sisulu couple. We pray that her soul rests in perfect peace.

Please accept, Mr. President, the assurances of my highest consideration. Unquote

End