Mama Nontsikelelo Albertina Sisulu

MAMA NONTSIKELELO ALBERTINA SISULU 11 June 2011 . Mama most of all, to your own family and to the nation during your lifetime history, which embraced taking over the household at the age of fifteen when your father died, later becoming nursing midwife and sister-in-charge and standing up for the rights of all, with fierce love and determination, courage and fortitude, quiet dignity and compassion, discipline and wisdom, a stalwart political leader in your own right, a leader of standing, a shining example of honour and great achievement, yet you transcended political divisions in the interests of preserving the community. You were what all politicians should be. . You were welcomed at the White House and 10 Downing Street and yet humility was your name and the door of your humble home with its welcome mat was always open to every needy neighbour and the homeless. . Thank you for cooking extra sausages for Snuffles, the Maltese poodle of one of your grandchildren, when they came to visit. . You made a difference throughout your ninety-two years. You were a warrior for righteousness and a care-giver. You mobilised, nurtured, encouraged, comforted, gave constructive criticism and tough love, cared, fed, mentored endured. You were truly your brother’s keeper with your simple acts of service. You taught that power comes from selfless service – power to serve more. You stood your ground no matter how thick and high the wall in front of you. You were resilient when all seemed lost. You assessed what needed to be done and you went ahead and did it, leading, planning and arranging from the ground up even to arranging ties for men to attend court cases of those victimised during the horrors of Apartheid. . You were pure of heart and actions and were persecuted for righteousness’ sake, yet you never lost your spirit, nor your faith, nor your smile that was born within your heart and overflowed to the glow in your eyes, nor did you ever lose your hope in the fiercest opposition and this carried you through making your massive contributions to society. . May we all water your garden of goodness as you watered your garden of flowers and people. . Your greatest wish was freedom, equality and dignity for all and unity amongst all people of South Africa. . May we not just tell others how you served and led. May we show them in our thoughts and words and most of all, actions, how to show others in turn and may we all keep your blueprint warm and alive. . The nation stands together in mourning you, no matter political allegiance, colour or creed. . Please, Mama, accept the tears of one whom you didn’t know, nor who knew you, and who, regretfully, has few tears for her own mother. . We bid farewell to you, we revere you, our Mama, a national heroine. . We thank you, Mama, for your life of service and we thank You, God, for Mama. . Your beautiful funeral was gracious and touching and befitting a soul so overflowing with goodness and love. . Well done, true and faithful servant of God. May you rest in peace with your and our beloved Walter Sisulu and may you both continue one of the world’s greatest love stories in Heaven with the God so beloved to you and Walter and whom you both served and loved so dearly. May you both be rejoicing in the rewards of Heaven. Hamba gahle, lala gahle, dear Mama. . 21 October 1918 – 2 June 2011