Hon Deputy Speaker, today the ID would like to extend our heartfelt condolences on the passing of Ma Albertina Sisulu, wife of the late Walter Sisulu. The name Albertina means "brilliant", "intelligent", "respectable", "noble" and "famous". Ma Sisulu embodied all of these characteristics and was true to the meaning of her name.
Yes, of course, her death has come as a great shock to those who were close to her, as well as to the entire nation. The moment I heard about the great loss for the Sisulu family, I placed my life on hold and took it upon myself to pay my last respects at the Sisulu family home in Johannesburg on Friday. This was all because she was not only amongst the best, but also the Mother of the Nation.
The Sisulu family have left their mark on South African history and have become prominent leaders in South African politics. One of Albertina Sisulu's most famous quotes was:
Women are the people who are going to relieve us from all this oppression and depression. The rent boycott that is happening in Soweto now is alive because of the women. It is the women who are on the street committees educating the people to stand up and protect each other.
This was the cornerstone of the emancipation of South African women.
Ons dink vandag spesiaal aan die Speaker, Walter en Albertina Sisulu se seun Max, asook aan Lindiwe Sisulu, en ons bring hulde aan hulle en aan hul ouers, wat hulle grootgemaak het. Ma Sisulu het nie net kinders in die lewe gebring nie, maar het ook geboorte gegee aan ons nuwe demokrasie in Suid- Afrika.
Daarom glo ons dat haar kinders en haar nageslag sal voortbou op daardie nalatenskap. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Today we are particularly keeping the Speaker, Max, who is the son of Walter and Albertina Sisulu, as well as Lindiwe Sisulu in our thoughts, and we would like to pay tribute to them and their parents who raised them. Not only did Ma Sisulu give birth to children, but she also gave birth to our new democracy in South Africa.
Therefore we believe that her children and descendants will continue to build on that heritage.]
We salute you, Mother of the Nation. Hamba kahle. [Go well.] [Applause.]