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Zuma addresses funeral service for Zwelakhe Sisulu

Former journalist Zwelakhe Sisulu embodied the qualities needed for South Africa’s continued struggle against poverty and inequality, President Jacob Zuma said on Saturday.

“That struggle calls for the type of sacrifice, dedication and commitment that comrade Zwelakhe displayed. It calls for supreme loyalty to the movement and the country,” Zuma said at Zwelakhe’s funeral in Randburg, Johannesburg.

Zwelakhe was one of the children of struggle stalwarts Walter and Albertina Sisulu.

Zuma said Walter and Albertina had dedicated themselves to building a new South Africa and their children shared in these values.

“Their children imbibed that spirit of dedication, commitment, patriotism and spirit of no surrender until freedom was gained in their country,” Zuma said.

His brother and Speaker of Parliament Max Sisulu agreed saying Zwelakhe had embodied the qualities of his family.

“He was calm and courageous, funny and warm, strong and loving,” Sisulu said.

Sisulu said Zwelakhe had “embodied the legacy of our parents” as well as being “the product of our struggle”.

During his remarks Sisulu was overcome with emotion asked for his wife, Elinor, to help him complete his eulogy.

He noted that Zwelakhe was his younger brother and “was supposed to follow protocol and not jump the queue”.

This was a testament to Zwelakhe who preferred to do things his own way, said Sisulu.

The funeral was attended by several political and media heavyweights, including Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, Minister in the Presidency Trevor Manuel, Congress of SA Trade Unions general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi and former president Nelson Mandela’s wife Graca Machel.

Among those attending the memorial was Zwelakhe’s friend and business partner, Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke.

Zwelakhe and Moseneke together formed the first black-owned business to be listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, New African Investments Limited.

However, their relationship went back further to when they were both activists against apartheid.

“He boasted an afro hair style. He had an African dashiki shirt and his fist was in the air more than any place else,” Moseneke recollected.

He and Zwelakhe both agreed not to go into politics, though Moseneke said Zwelakhe could have easily found a seat in Parliament.

“We could serve other people in other ways than politics,” Moseneke said.

“He had a near disdain for power.”  

Zwelakhe, aged 61, died in his sleep in his Johannesburg home last Thursday.

In the 1980s Zwelakhe emerged as a champion of alternative media and freedom of expression and, as a result, was harassed and imprisoned.

He founded and became editor of The New Nation, which provided a platform for the liberation and mass democratic movement.

Zwelakhe was arrested and detained for lengthy periods without trial during the apartheid era. His harassment prompted international media organisations to call for his release.

He was also the founding leader of the union, the Media Workers’ Association of SA.

In 1994, Zwelakhe became group CEO of the SABC. He also served as a media officer for former president Nelson Mandela.

He is survived by his wife Zodwa, daughter Zoya, sons Moyikwa and Ziyeka, and granddaughter Lilitha.

- Sapa

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