Words of the Week 13/2016

Walter Sisulu

Walter Max Ulyate Sisulu (18 May 1912 – 5 May 2003) was a South African anti-apartheid activist and member of the African National Congress (ANC), serving at times as Secretary-General and Deputy President of the organisation. He was jailed at Robben Island, where he served more than 25 years’ imprisonment.

He married his wife Albertina in 1944; Nelson Mandela was his best man at their wedding. The couple had five children, and adopted four more. Sisulu’s wife and children were also active in the struggle against apartheid.

In October 1989, he was released after 26 years in prison, and in July 1991 was elected ANC deputy president at the ANC’s first national conference after its unbanning the year before. He remained in the position until after South Africa‘s first democratic election in 1994.