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Last night on the 2nd June 2011, the SACP received with sadness the news of the passing away of the second recipient, after Nelson Mandela, of the SACP highest honour the Chris Hani Peace Award, uMama Albertina Sisulu, a great revolutionary and patriot of our people. Our deepest condolences to the family, relatives, comrades and friends.

A stalwart of our revolution is no more. A mother, a grandmother, a leader of the UDF and FEDSAW and a mentor to thousand of younger generations is no more. What she has left behind for us is a legacy to cherish and to honour in action.

Mama Sisulu was an overall activist and understood the relationship between racial oppression, class oppression and gender oppression, especially the most unrealised aspects of the gender struggle. In her much appreciated role as a midwife she brought life into this world and in practice demonstrated the values of which she fought, that of selflessness and a caring nation. Even after retiring from active nursing she carried out these duties as part and parcel of her commitment to serving her people.

Mama played an important role in providing support to one of the most revered leader of our movement when he was a subject of police harassment and endless unfair detention. In her own right she was an activist and an important leader of women struggles.

We dip our red banner in hour of this heroine of our revolution. We extend condolences to family and friends, to comrades in the ANC and the ANC WL and the entire liberation movement. In her honour we must revamp our health system to be people centred as opposed to the profit driven health care system. In her honour we must produce thousands of healthcare workers whose main dedication is to serve our people. In her honour we must continue the struggle to improve the conditions of women and girls in society.