By Gillian Schutte
Lindiwe Sisulu, a prominent South African politician and the daughter of anti-apartheid icons Walter and Albertina Sisulu, launched the Sisulu Foundation for Social Justice on 31 October to carry forward her parents' powerful legacy of justice, ethical leadership, and equality.
Walter and Albertina were not only key figures in the South African liberation struggle but true icons of humility, resilience, and integrity. Their sacrifices helped shape South Africa’s journey to freedom, and today, the foundation rooted in their values is dedicated to promoting social justice, humanitarianism, sustainable development, and anti-corruption across the country.
This initiative reflects Lindiwe's commitment to ensuring that the ideals her parents championed continue to inspire and guide future generations. The Sisulus’ legacy is deeply ingrained in the foundation’s ethos. Walter’s pivotal role in founding the ANC Youth League and his mentorship of Nelson Mandela marked him as one of the most influential figures in the liberation struggle. Alongside him, Albertina, known as the “Mother of the Nation,” tirelessly advocated for women’s rights and justice for the underprivileged. Together, they were embodiments of a commitment to collective good over individual gain, ideals that Lindiwe herself has spent her life honouring and advocating.
The launch event was held on Robben Island, a location with immense historical significance, where her father endured 26 years of imprisonment for his role in the liberation struggle. In her address at the launch, Lindiwe reflected on her parents’ remarkable legacy and the values that shaped them. She began by acknowledging the location’s deep symbolism, calling Robben Island "a sacred place of resistance, resilience, and sacrifice, where her father, alongside countless others, stood resolute in the face of oppression."
She continued, “My father did not view his years here as a sentence of despair, but as a commitment to justice. He knew, as we do today, that the sacrifices made here were the stepping stones to a more just and equitable South Africa.”
Lindiwe shared personal insights into the enduring humility of her parents, noting how they consistently placed the collective struggle over personal acclaim.
“For my parents, the struggle was never about individual recognition,” she said. “It was about the people of this country. It was about lifting every South African from the burdens of poverty, inequality, and indignity. The work of this foundation is to honour that spirit by tackling these challenges head-on and creating sustainable change.
”Lindiwe’s own impressive career mirrors her parents’ dedication to the people of South Africa. A freedom fighter from a young age, she received military training in Russia and served as an intelligence officer within Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), the armed wing of the ANC, where she worked under the guidance of former President Jacob Zuma. Zuma, a close comrade of Walter, became a mentor to Lindiwe, a relationship she described with warmth and gratitude during her speech. With a touch of humour, she quipped, “I even washed his socks in the MK camps,” a light-hearted reminder of the bonds forged in the struggle and the unglamorous daily routines that united them.
At the launch, Zuma was a guest speaker, delivering a moving address that recounted the brutal conditions on Robben Island in the 1960s. He spoke about the harsh realities Black prisoners faced, including gruelling physical labour, degrading treatment, and a complete lack of basic rights. Zuma recalled how the apartheid authorities targeted Black detainees with the harshest punishments, often treating them with indignities intended to break their spirits.
Yet for freedom fighters like Walter Sisulu and Zuma, these years of suffering became a source of strength and resilience. “It was here that our commitment to justice was tested and fortified,” Zuma said, “and it was in these cells that we, as Black men, stood unbroken and unified in our vision of a free South Africa.” His speech was a powerful reminder that Robben Island is not merely a historical site but a testament to the resilience and sacrifice of South Africa’s greatest leaders.
CEO of the foundation, Mphumzi Mdekazi, expanded on the foundation’s vision, sharing details about specific projects dedicated to preserving the Sisulus’ contributions to social justice, education, and anti-corruption. “In partnership with African universities such as the Vaal University of Technology, we are establishing the Albertina Sisulu African Languages Centre to support the preservation and promotion of indigenous languages,” Mdekazi said.
“Moreover, an anti-corruption centre named the Walter and Albertina Sisulu Centre will be established at Stellenbosch University as a focal point for producing new knowledge, fostering ethical leadership, and developing PhD and Master’s research focused on the Sisulus’ legacy.” Mdekazi further highlighted the importance of funding to sustain these initiatives and preserve the Sisulu legacy, emphasising a focus on collaborative efforts to raise support for ongoing projects. The foundation also explores the production of a series or documentary revisiting the historic Rivonia Trial, focusing on “accused number two,” Walter Sisulu.
“This project aims to bring forward the profound sacrifices and moral integrity of Walter Sisulu,” Mdekazi added, “showcasing his life and values in a format that will reach future generations.”
Lindiwe also shared the foundation's commitment to combating poverty, a cause close to her mother’s heart. She introduced the foundation’s “Push Back Poverty” initiative, which will specifically target children aged 3 to 17, providing practical support and sustainable pathways for young people, a group her mother dedicated much of her life to serving. “This campaign seeks to tackle the root causes of poverty, providing resources and pathways for our children, empowering them to break the cycle and build a better future,” she said.
“In every child we help, we honour my mother’s dedication to the youth of this nation. The Sisulu Foundation has unveiled several impactful initiatives reflecting Walter and Albertina’s dedication to justice and equality. These include the Malnutrition and Anti-Poverty Programme, aimed at combating malnutrition and addressing poverty across African communities and establishing an independent Anti-Corruption Unit to support both government and private sectors in the fight against corruption.
Mdekazi emphasised that these projects align with the Sisulus' vision for an ethical, equitable society grounded in accountability and service to the people. Additionally, to the inaugural lecture at the University of Cape Town Business School, in which Dr Arikana Chihombori-Quao delivered a powerful speech, the foundation will host a series of memorial lectures to honour visionary leaders such as Thomas Sankara, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Robert Sobukwe, and Albertina Sisulu. These lectures are designed to pay tribute to these figures, impart their wisdom, and inspire future generations to champion the causes of equality and justice. “These gatherings will serve as an educational platform, connecting South Africa’s youth with the courage and values of those who paved the way for freedom,” Lindiwe noted.
In her closing remarks, Lindiwe Sisulu spoke to the Sisulu legacy's larger purpose and enduring relevance, stating, “This foundation is more than a tribute; it is a call to action. As my mother once said, ‘We are each required to walk our own road and then stop, assess what we have learned, and share it with others.’ This foundation is our way of sharing that journey so that future generations may walk their path with integrity, justice, and courage.
”Through the Sisulu Foundation, Lindiwe continues to uphold her family’s commitment to social justice, humanitarianism, and ethical governance. Her foundation seeks not only to preserve her parents' legacy but to actively build on it, translating their values into meaningful actions that address contemporary challenges. The foundation’s work, grounded in the Sisulus’ belief in community, humility, and justice, aims to inspire a new generation of leaders who will carry forth these principles, ensuring that the sacrifices and values of Walter and Albertina Sisulu remain at the heart of South Africa’s future.