Mandela laments Sisulu's passing
2003-05-06 06:10
Johannesburg - Former president Nelson Mandela and New National Party leader Marthinus van Schalkwyk were among the first on Monday night to eulogise African National Congress stalwart Walter Sisulu.
Sisulu died earlier on Monday evening.
"Xhamela is no more. May he live forever! His absence has carved a void. A part of me is gone," Mandela lamented.
"Our paths first intersected in 1941. During the past 62 years our lives have been intertwined. We shared the joy of living, and the pain," Mandela said in a statement sent to Sapa late on Monday night.
"Together we shared ideas, forged common commitments. We walked side by side through the valley of death, nursing each other's bruises, holding each other up when our steps faltered. Together we savoured the taste of freedom."
"In a sense I feel cheated by Walter. If there be another life beyond this physical world I would have loved to be there first so that I could welcome him. Life has determined otherwise," Mandela added.
"I now know that when my time comes, Walter will be there to meet me, and I am almost certain he will hold out an enrolment form to register me into the ANC in that world, cajoling me with one of his favourite songs we sang when mobilising people behind the Freedom Charter:
Libhaliwe na iGama lakho
kuloMqulu weNkululeko
Vuma silibhale kuloMqulu
weNkululeko.
(Has your name been enrolled in the struggle for freedom. Permit us to register you in the struggle for freedom.)
"I shall miss his friendship and counsel. Till we meet again, Hamba kahle, Xhamela. Qhawe la ma Qhawe!"
The ANC responded to the news with deep sorrow.
"It is with a heavy heart and profound sense of loss that the African National Congress learned of the death this evening (Monday) of Isithwalandwe Walter Max Ulyate Sisulu, a giant of the liberation struggle and one of the founding fathers of South Africa's democracy," the ANC said in a statement.
Secretary General Kgalema Motlanthe extended the party's condolences to the Sisulu family.
"We join them in mourning the loss of a father and a hero," he said.
The ANC paid tribute to Sisulu, who it described as an African patriot whose heroism, humility and leadership earned him the respect and love of millions of people.
Van Schalkwyk said South Africa had lost a formidable leader who had strived his whole life to bring about democratic and just dispensation.
"He will always be known and remembered as one of the great sons of our land. He succeeded in combining intellect with a common touch. The New National Party would like to extend our sympathy to his family and large circle of friends."
- SAPA