'Tata' burial with full honours

2003-05-15 09:29

Johannesburg - Anti-apartheid giant "Tata" Walter Sisulu will be buried from the back of a gun-carriage on Saturday, with tens of thousands of mourners attending his funeral in Soweto, near here.

Sisulu will be buried in Creosus cemetery outside Soweto, close to the grave of his sister Rose.

His coffin will be draped in a South African flag, and will be accompanied by a military band.

African National Congress deputy secretary-general Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele said: "Arrangements for the special official funeral of the late "Tata" (Xhosa for father) Walter Sisulu are now at an advanced stage.

"We will be able to say farewell to him in a manner befitting his stature within our country."

Sisulu died on Monday, two weeks before his 91st birthday, in the arms of his wife, Albertina, at their Johannesburg home after returning from a medical check-up.

He was a towering figure in the struggle for majority rule in South Africa - serving 26 years in prison alongside former South African president Nelson Mandela and other leading opponents of apartheid.

50 000 expected at Orlando Stadium

Sisulu was one of a close circle of men - including Mandela and the late Govan Mbeki, President Thabo Mbeki's father who died in September 2001 - who guided the fight against white oppression from the 1950s.

About 50 000 people are expected to pay a final tribute at the Orlando Stadium, where a funeral service will be held.

Mthembi-Mahanyele said it was expected Mandela would address mourners by Mandela and Mbeki would give a formal funeral oration.

A church service and prayers at the stadium will be led by another anti-apartheid stalwart, Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Mthembi-Mahanyele said: "His coffin will be draped in a South African flag and taken on a gun-carriage to Creosus cemetery outside Soweto."

Sisulu's son, Max, said the family was overwhelmed by the outpouring of condolences from all over the world.

"The first two days have been hard for us, especially for Mama Albertina," said the visibly emotional Sisulu.

"We all knew that "Tata" was not well, that he was old. But nothing can actually prepare you for the loss of a loved one."

"But, we are bearing up as a family, the support from both within the country and from all around the world has been overwhelming."

On Friday night, there will be a night vigil at Sisulu's body, lying in state at a local Soweto community hall, before it is taken to his family home in Soweto, where a private prayer ceremony will be held early on Saturday.

Max Sisulu said: "It will be a typical African funeral, which will include imbongis (Xhosa praise singers) and where ANC tradition will respected by the singing of revolutionary songs."

The burial will be concluded with the sounding of The Last Post and, later, a traditional hands-washing ceremony, said Sisulu.

- AFX