President Zuma pays tribute to Zwelakhe Sisulu

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma says the courage and fighting spirit displayed by struggle veteran and former SABC boss, Zwelakhe Sisulu, should be used as inspiration in the battle against the triple challenge of poverty, inequality and unemployment.

"We have laid a good foundation in the past 18 years [of democracy], but the struggle continues against poverty, inequality and unemployment.

"That struggle calls for the type of sacrifice, dedication and commitment that Comrade Zwelakhe displayed. It calls for supreme loyalty to the ... country, which we also learn from Comrade Zwelakhe's legacy," said Zuma at Sisulu's funeral service on Saturday. 

Sisulu, the son of late struggle veterans Walter and Albertina Sisulu, passed away on October 4.

Sisulu was also a political activist and leader in his own right during the liberation struggle. As a newspaper editor of the New Nation, he was detained several times in the 1970s and 1980s for speaking out against black oppression under apartheid.

He also served as the President of the Media Workers Association of South Africa.

After the country became a democracy, Sisulu established himself as an astute businessman - where he was an active shareholder, director and chairman of various companies. He also served as the CEO of the SABC.

Zuma said his passing on should be used as a time to reignite the values Albertina and Walter Sisulu stood for - unity, love and togetherness.

"Today we are celebrating this remarkable life, lived with dignity and integrity and selfless commitment to the struggle for the liberation of our people as well as the development of our country. 

"His life took many roads and he crossed many large rivers to emerge as a man we are bidding farewell here today," said Zuma. - SAnews.gov.za