Interesting insights into South Africa’s top struggle family are now available.
The joint biography of Walter and Albertina Sisulu, ”In Our Lifetime”, written by Sisulu’s daughter-in-law Elinor Sisulu, was launched in Johannesburg on Tuesday. Elinor Sisulu is the wife of Walter Sisulu’s son Max.
The book’s launch could easily have been mistaken for a government function, with national and provincial cabinet ministers and members of the law society and big business attending in full force.
Walter Sisulu (90) and ailing, had to get special permission from his doctors to leave hospital for the launch, Max Sisulu told those attending the launch.
Former president Nelson Mandela, an old friend of the family, wrote the book’s foreword. He spoke passionately about his long association with Walter Sisulu, dating back to the 1940s.
Mandela said while many people, including himself, had been honoured in many ways around the world for their role in the struggle against injustice, Sisulu had been the most deserving of most of those awards.
”I have always been saying that while many of us have been honoured by countries in every continent with awards, including Nobel Peace Prizes, there is one man who has not received some of these but nonetheless he stands head and shoulders above us all because of his humility and simplicity,” he said.
Mandela related how the African National Congress (ANC) leadership often looked to Sisulu to come up with solutions during difficult times, and how he would rise to the occasion despite while remaining firmly behind the scenes.
Johannesburg Mayor Amos Masondo reminded the audience that Sisulu was the recipient of the city’s freedom. This was more of an honour to the city, which was now associated with his good name. – Sapa