In Brief

Walter Sisulu was a South African anti-apartheid activist, member of the African National Congress and one of the foremost influences in South African politics. In 1944 along with Oliver Tambo and Nelson Mandela, he joined the ANC Youth League (founded by Anton Lembede) initially becoming the treasurer. Throughout his political career he fought against black on black violence (between ANC and IFP). In 1964 he was sentenced to life and imprisoned on Robben Island, alongside Nelson Mandela. He spent 26 years in jail and was released in 1989 - at age 77. He campaigned in the first truly multi-racial elections in South Africa (in 1994) and saw his dream of black majority rule fulfilled. He retired after the election, though he kept an office at ANC headquarters where he would drop in from time to time. He was also known for his doting marriage to Albertina Sisulu (a fellow freedom-fighter). Walter Sisulu received a special state funeral on 17 May 2003.