Netball South Africa (NSA) has honoured struggle stalwart Albertina Sisulu by presenting the Sisulu family with a portrait of “the mother of the nation” to mark the centenary of her birth.
Accepting the gift on behalf of the Sisulu family, her grandson Jason described how his grandmother had held her family together during the 26 years her Rivonia Trialist husband, Walter Sisulu, spent on Robben Island with Nelson Mandela.
“She remained an activist while keeping her family of seven children together,” he told netball players at the official opening of the 2018 SPAR national championships in Young Park.
“She was also a dedicated nurse and a champion of human rights. Of course, to her 27 grandchildren, she was our beloved Gogo. She would have been very happy to see you all gathered here. She even played netball in her youth and she loved young people. She would have wished you all a happy and successful tournament.”
The portrait was presented to Jason Sisulu by NSA President Cecilia Molokwane and the Deputy Minister of Sport and Recreation, Gert Oosthuizen.
