ANC NEC member and businessman Cyril Ramaphosa said while Albertina Sisulu's death was a big loss to the country, he was celebrating the huge legacy she was leaving behind
"We will use these lessons she taught us to advance democracy and better lives the of the people," he said.
Ramaphosa spoke to Sowetan during Sisulu's funeral service on Saturday at Orlando Stadium.
Thousands of mourners, including leaders from the southern African region, paid homage to Sisulu, who died almost two weeks ago at the age of 92. She was buried next to her husband Walter Sisulu at Newclare Cemetery, Johannesburg.
Addressing the mourners, President Jacob Zuma said it was a heart-rending coincidence that the "mother of the nation" was being buried on the first anniversary of Africa's first soccer World Cup.
"On this day last year the country displayed what Mama Sisulu had been striving for all her life. South Africans, black and white, joined hands to ensure the success of the soccer tournament," he said.
Zuma appealed to the youth to uphold the values that Sisulu believed in.
"In a few days time we will be marking the 35th anniversary of the June 16 uprising.
"The message of the 2011 Youth Month is that the political freedom that has been achieved must now translate into economic emancipation, so that we can eradicate inequality, poverty and unemployment," Zuma said.
"From (Sisulu) we learnt that you can be a leader and still respect others in actions and deeds regardless of their station in life or status.''
- Nelson Mandela lookalike Ayanda Mbatyothi almost stole the show. He brought rapturous applause with his "Madiba Jive".
Tanzania's President Jakaya Kikwete, Lesotho's Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili, Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda were among the mourners.
Fond farewell to Albertina Sisulu
ANC NEC member and businessman Cyril Ramaphosa said while Albertina Sisulu's death was a big loss to the country, he was celebrating the huge legacy she was leaving behind
"We will use these lessons she taught us to advance democracy and better lives the of the people," he said.
Ramaphosa spoke to Sowetan during Sisulu's funeral service on Saturday at Orlando Stadium.
Thousands of mourners, including leaders from the southern African region, paid homage to Sisulu, who died almost two weeks ago at the age of 92. She was buried next to her husband Walter Sisulu at Newclare Cemetery, Johannesburg.
Addressing the mourners, President Jacob Zuma said it was a heart-rending coincidence that the "mother of the nation" was being buried on the first anniversary of Africa's first soccer World Cup.
"On this day last year the country displayed what Mama Sisulu had been striving for all her life. South Africans, black and white, joined hands to ensure the success of the soccer tournament," he said.
Zuma appealed to the youth to uphold the values that Sisulu believed in.
"In a few days time we will be marking the 35th anniversary of the June 16 uprising.
"The message of the 2011 Youth Month is that the political freedom that has been achieved must now translate into economic emancipation, so that we can eradicate inequality, poverty and unemployment," Zuma said.
"From (Sisulu) we learnt that you can be a leader and still respect others in actions and deeds regardless of their station in life or status.''
Tanzania's President Jakaya Kikwete, Lesotho's Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili, Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda were among the mourners.
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