*Tribute to Mama Albertina Sisulu: the fall of an Icon and Mother*
*3 June 2011* Young Communist League of South Africa joins millions of our people, including the family of the ANC-led Alliance, in extending our condolences to the Sisulu family on the passing away of Mama Albertina Sisulu. The sad news of her passing on late last night took many of us by shock. Mama Sisulu, a founder member of the UDF and an inspiration to the formation of many of our structures within the Mass Democratic Movement, and an active member of the ANC Women's League; is an icon in her own right having actively participated in the struggle against Apartheid and saw its ultimate defeat. She will forever remain fixed in our memory as having women's struggle in the forefront of the overall liberation struggle, and have ensured that the liberation of women remains central to the liberation of our people. Mama Sisulu is being credited as an organizer, bringing into the fold of the liberation movement many women who will today and into the future take forward the baton of struggle. Mama Sisulu has been one of the last few remaining Veterans of our struggle who at all times sought to restore and ensure continuity of the traditions of the movement, that of service to the people; political tolerance; internal democracy and the leadership of all our people into a non-racist, non-sexist and democratic society. Mama Sisulu never bowed to the shadow of her husband, Tata Sisulu, and through the years have ensured that she carves her mark in our history and future society. Imposed into single parenthood by apartheid through the arrest of her husband, Mama Sisulu became not only the mother of her biological children, but the mother even of her political children who yearned to drink from the trough of the struggle and liberate this country. Although she has ceased to breath; and age, together with other factors, have taken from society the life of one it has collectively treasured; her memory will linger on. Ours, the current and future generations, will treasure the gift of freedom and democracy she and many others have handed over to us. Through this, we will ensure that our society never goes back to the barbarism of apartheid, class and gender exploitation. We commit ourselves to ensure that the values which you made a major part of your life are defended to the end. Fellow South Africans, the debt we owe to Mama Sisulu is to continue with the building of a non-racist, non-sexist and democratic society. We owe her a great deal in ensuring that we eradicate poverty and liberate our people from political and economic bondage. We owe it to her to ensure that with stern, the construction of a socialist society remain forever on the agenda of the current generation. This is the greatest monument we can erect for you and other struggle heroes. May her soul rest in peace! Issued by Manamela National Secretary Young Communist League Office Line (011) 3392621 Fax Line (011)3394244 Email [email protected] -- Venceremos -- You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this address (repeat): [email protected] .
