Hon Deputy Speaker, hon Ministers and hon members, on behalf of the IFP and myself, I express our deepest condolences to the Sisulu family on the passing away of Nontsikelelo Albertina Sisulu.
The news of Mama Sisulu's passing last Thursday left me with a sense of enormous loss. My wife, Princess Irene, and I considered her a friend, but of course she was much more than that; she was one of the mothers of our democratic nation, birthing freedom through her unbending faith and convictions. It is true that there is no one more deserving of the title of "Mother of our Nation".
Albertina blessed us with her strength, both as an individual and in the partnership with her beloved husband, Walter Sisulu. They will remain South African icons. Albertina and Walter were an inspiration to me from a young age, not only in their politics, but in their marriage as well. Indeed they gave us a love story that underpinned everything that they accomplished.
I shall forever be grateful to Mr Walter Sisulu for the guidance he gave me as a young man when he advised me, together with iNkosi Albert Luthuli and Mr Nelson Mandela, to take up my hereditary position as inkosi of the Buthelezi clan. That was more than half a century ago, but it began a lifetime of leadership for me.
Throughout the years that followed I often leaned on the wisdom of men like Walter Sisulu. Thus, Albertina Sisulu became someone whom I respected and admired, for she so ably complemented her husband's strengths and supported him through the many dark nights of incarceration, suffering and exile.
In the midst of their fight for our freedom, Albertina managed to raise children of whom she and Walter could later be very proud. I am very proud of the fact that the hon Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Lindiwe Sisulu, was prepared for her later responsibilities as my Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
I thank God that Albertina Sisulu lived to see our freedom and to serve in a democratic Parliament, which she did, as she did everything else, with distinction and integrity. All of us who served with her in this House are very proud and privileged to have served with her.
I'm also grateful that in the last 17 years of her life South Africa could honour her and her husband for the more than 70 years that they gave to the liberation struggle. She deserved every accolade we gave her, but the praises we bestowed on her in life and those that we pour upon her memory now actually pale into insignificance compared to the crown that she receives as she now steps into eternity. May the Lord comfort the Sisulu children and grandchildren, for in truth there are many. May I express to the Chief Whip and members of the ANC our condolences for the loss of this stalwart. While our condolences go to the Sisulu family, we know that across our nation there are countless South Africans who consider themselves children and grandchildren of Albertina Sisulu because they sheltered in her care and thrived under her warmth. We thank the Sisulu family for giving us their mother.
Yebo, noma ngidlula ethunzini lokufa angiyikwesaba okubi ngoba Wena unami. Udek' itafula phambi kwami naphambi kwezitha zami. Ugcobile ikhanda lami ngamafutha. Isitsha sami siyachichima, okuhle nomusa kuyangilandela izinsuku zonke zokuhamba kwami. Ngiyakuhlala endlini kaSimakade kuze kube sekupheleni kwezinsuku. [Ihlombe.] (Translation of isiZulu paragraph follows.)
[Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil because You are with me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. [Applause.]]