News of the death of anti-apartheid struggle veteran Walter Sisulu was broken to South African President Thabo Mbeki on Monday night, while he was in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Presidential representative Bheki Khumalo told SABC radio news that the president was in Congo attending talks on the peace process. The president paid tribute to ”a leader who gave his life to the struggle with absolute selflessness.”
The president extended condolences to his ”lovely wife Albertina and to the entire (Sisulu) family”, said Khumalo.
”The nation will have to see how best to mark his death … he will have to be given a funeral that befits the role and place that he played in the liberation struggle,” said Khumalo on the president’s behalf.
Meanwhile, opposition leaders have joined the outpourings of sympathy following the death of the former Robben Island prisoner who died on Monday night a few days short of his 91st birthday.
Official opposition Democratic Alliance leader Tony Leon said: ”I wish to pay a sincere tribute to the life of Walter Sisulu, and to mourn his passing.”
”The death of Walter Sisulu marks the passing of one of South Africa’s great heroes. He will long be remembered as one of the founding fathers of a non-racial, democratic South Africa.”
”Few visionaries are able to see their dreams fulfilled. Walter Sisulu was fortunate enough to enjoy the new South Africa that he had worked so hard and sacrificed so much to bring about.”
”Today we must all deal with the dawning reality that South Africa’s heroes are mortal — that one day we, as a nation, must walk into the future without their guidance.”
”But we shall always honour the legacy we have inherited, and cherish the memory of those who guided us through the wilderness of our troubled history.”
”As we mourn Walter Sisulu, we can take comfort in reflecting on the freedom and dignity that he helped South Africa to achieve. That is his monument — and it will endure.”
”We are sure that as his wife, Albertina Sisulu, and his children ”walk through the Valley of the Shadow” they will be comforted and inspired by the example of Walter Sisulu’s brave and remarkable life — as the nation is confronted by his awesome example of service before self which he leaves behind.”
New National Party leader and Western Cape Premier Marthinus van Schalkwyk said: ”South African has lost a formidable leader who strived his whole life to bring about a democratic and just dispensation.
Sisulu would always be known ”and remembered as one of the great sons of our land,” said Van Schalkwyk. ”He succeeded in combining intellect with a common touch.”
He said the NNP would like to extend our sympathy to his family ”and large circle of friends.” – I-Net Bridge