Thursday, May 22, 2003
On the occasion of his funeral I would like to take the opportunity to offer my heartfelt sympathy to Albertina and all the friends and family of Tata Sisulu.
South Africa has lost one of her greatest sons and the world has lost an man like no other. I met Mr Sisulu just once but the warmth and strength of his spirit made a permanent impression on me. It was May 1994. I had driven-up from Cape Town with colleagues I had worked with on the election campaign for the ANC Western Cape (Leroy Jones-Hemmings, Shaffee & Meira Hussein). We had attended the inauguaration at Union Buildings the previous day and were staying in Soweto. Shaffee suggested that we go and visit the Sisulu's in Orlando and so we did. Unannounced, a car-full of scruffy ANC workers knocked on his door. We were welcomed by Walter and Albertina with great warmth, informality and hospitality. We only stayed for about five minutes but that meeting will stay with me for my life time. This small gentle man was a giant made of steel. He showed how life should be lived to the fullest in the service of humanity.
His death gives us cause to grieve.
His life gives us cause to celebrate.
Hambe Kahle Comrade Sisulu. May your spirit live on in the soil of South Africa and the hearts of its people.
Stefan Simanowitz (formerly ANC DPI Western Cape)
stefanowitz@hotmail.com
tel:07799650791
South Africa has lost one of her greatest sons and the world has lost an man like no other. I met Mr Sisulu just once but the warmth and strength of his spirit made a permanent impression on me. It was May 1994. I had driven-up from Cape Town with colleagues I had worked with on the election campaign for the ANC Western Cape (Leroy Jones-Hemmings, Shaffee & Meira Hussein). We had attended the inauguaration at Union Buildings the previous day and were staying in Soweto. Shaffee suggested that we go and visit the Sisulu's in Orlando and so we did. Unannounced, a car-full of scruffy ANC workers knocked on his door. We were welcomed by Walter and Albertina with great warmth, informality and hospitality. We only stayed for about five minutes but that meeting will stay with me for my life time. This small gentle man was a giant made of steel. He showed how life should be lived to the fullest in the service of humanity.
His death gives us cause to grieve.
His life gives us cause to celebrate.
Hambe Kahle Comrade Sisulu. May your spirit live on in the soil of South Africa and the hearts of its people.
Stefan Simanowitz (formerly ANC DPI Western Cape)
stefanowitz@hotmail.com
tel:07799650791
