Mayor Tau pays tribute to fallen Sisulu hero

20 October 2015

 

Johannesburg Executive Mayor Councillor Parks Tau on Monday October 19 paid tribute to Mlungisi Sisulu, the second-born son of the late struggle stalwarts, Walter and Albertina Sisulu. Johannesburg bestowed the Freedom of the City on Walter Sisulu in 1997.

 

Mlungisi Sisulu - popularly known as "Lungi" among his friends, family and business associates, died of pancreatic cancer at the Donald Gordon Hospital in Johannesburg on Tuesday October 13.

 

His funeral service, held at the Walter Sisulu Hall in Randburg, Johannesurg, was attended by high-profile personalities including former presidents Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe, National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete, ANC Treasurer-General Dr Zweli Mkhize, Gauteng Premier David Makhura, former Johannesburg Mayor Amos Masondo, Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town Thabo Makgoba and widow of the late former president Nelson Mandela, Graca Machel.

 

In his speech, Executive Mayor Tau described Sisulu as a "fearless and highly committed cadre" of the ANC.

 

The Mayor said Sisulu had, together with civic leaders such as Masondo, Isaac Mogase and Nat Ramokgopa, contributed to the establishment of the post-apartheid Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality that had now developed into a world-class African city. He said Sisulu played a significant role in rebuilding ANC structures after the organisation was unbanned in 1990 at a time when violence threatened the stability of the country.

 

"[He] excelled as a businessman in post-apartheid South Africa. As a country, we need social entrepreneurs of Sisulu’s stature to bring about meaningful transformation to our socioeconomic conditions," Mayor Tau said.

He said the City would continue to uphold his ideals.

 

"Our commitment to democratic, civic-oriented ideals is demonstrated through our empowerment programmes that seek to combat and defeat hunger, unemployment and poverty," he said.

Sisulu's elder brother, Max, said the family had lost a "good, kind and brave man".

Sisulu was buried at West Park Cemetery.

 

He is survived by his wife, Sheila, son Linda, daughters Nontsikelelo and Boitumelo and six grandchildren.