WHO WAS WALTER SISULU?

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(Photo from South African History online)

Walter Max Utyate Sisulu was born in the village at Quthubeni at Engcobo in the Transkei region of the Eastern Cape. He was born on 18 May 1912. His clan name is ”Xhamele”.

Sisulu joined the ANC in 1940 and it was through him that both Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo were brought into the organization. In 1944 he formed the ANC Youth League, with them, whose radical approach fundamentally transformed the ANC and the struggle against coIonialism and apartheid. In 1949 he was elected Secretary General of the ANC.

In 1944 Sisulu married Albertina Nontsikelelo Mnyila.
In 1950s he was one of the leading figures in the Defiance Campaign. Between 1956 and 1961 Sisulu was constantly in court defending himself against a string of treason charges. Sisulu was one of the founders of Umkhonto Wesizwe, ANC armed wing after major liberation organizations such as the PAC and the ANC were banned in 1960.Sisulu together with Mandela and other senior leaders of the ANC were caught and tried in the Rivonia Treason Trial. In 1964 they were sentenced to life imprisonment, most of which was spent in Robben Island. Sisulu was released on 15th October 1989, after almost three decades in jail. He then served ANC as its Deputy President. Sadly, Sisulu passed away on 5 May 2003 just before his 91st birthday.

Sisulu commanded respect from friends and foes because of the dignified manner with which he handled himself as well as the values he embraced.

Sisulu is a towering giant of South Africa and humanity’s struggle for justice. His humility, ability to identify and promote leaders as well as his selflessness are some of his distinctive traits.

His family values and relationship with his comrade and wife can be described as a love relationship of the 21st century. Sisulu proved to be as faithful to the struggle as he was to his family.
It is an honor for the three merging institutions to be carrying the name of such a towering figure in human history. He is an embodiment of the values of selflessness, courage. humility, Ubuntu and compassion which this University would like to aspire to.
Learn more about this great man and his life -
http://www.sahistory.org.za/pages/specialprojects/sisulu/menu.htm
Did you know that Albertina Sisulu is a recipient of Unitra’s Honorary Doctorate?

HONORARY DEGREE AWARD CEREMONY
A special ceremony was held to confer the degree of
Doctor of Laws, (Honoris Causa) to
Mr Walter Max Ulyate Sisulu (posthumously)
on Saturday 24 February 2007 at
 Indaba Hotel, Fourways, Johannesburg


Mrs Albertina Sisulu documents her signature with Max Sisulu while Walter Sisulu University Interim Registrar, Jay Bhana looks on.

Behind them is Walter Sisulu University Deputy Chairperson of Council, Donovan Nadison and Walter Sisulu University Chancellor, Dr Brigalia Bam

(From L to R) Walter Sisulu University Vice Chancellor
Professor Malusi Balintulo, Max Sisulu hand over the
Honorary Degree to Mrs Albertina Sisulu

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