MaSisulu a gift to all SA - Tutu

Albertina Sisulu was a remarkable woman and a wonderful gift to South Africa

Archbishop Desmond Tutu said this during a memorial service for the ANC struggle stalwart at Cape Town's St George's Cathedral yesterday.

The service was attended by more than 300 people, including National Council of Provinces chairperson Mninawa Mahlangu, Mathole Motshekga, ANC chief whip, and leaders of political parties.

Tutu said he knew her as a neighbour while they lived in Orlando West, Soweto.

"She was separated from her husband Walter Sisulu while he was imprisoned. Some of their children left the country or were harassed by the apartheid forces.

"She inspired political leaders by serving the interests of our people. She also strove for a crime-free society in which there was no hunger," he said.

Mahlangu said she was a "giant among giants" and deserved to be called the "mother of the nation."

At another Sisulu memorial service at the OR Tambo Hall in Khayelitsha on Wednesday hundreds of people also paid their tributes.

Jesse Duarte, ANC national executive committee member, told the crowd that it was not acceptable that the DA controlled Western Cape.

"We must liberate Western Cape. It cannot remain in the hands of the DA," Duarte said.

Duarte said she had had the privilege of working with Sisulu during apartheid days.

"She told us that we should build our structures and rule the country," Duarte said.

ANC Western Cape leader Marius Fransman called for the revival of the party to take control of the province in the 2014 general elections.

"The DA spoke about good service delivery in the more affluent areas while there was bad service delivery in black townships. We must unite so that we can take win the election in three years," he said.

Fransman said they were proud of the huge legacy left by Sisulu.

"The news of Albertina Sisulu's passing has left me with a deep sense of loss. She was one of the mothers of our democracy, birthing our freedom through her unbending faith and convictions," IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi said.