Walter Sisulu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Walter Sisulu
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| 5th Deputy President of the African National Congress | |
| In office July 1991 – December 1994 |
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| President | Nelson Mandela |
| Preceded by | Nelson Mandela |
| Succeeded by | Thabo Mbeki |
| 9th Secretary-General of the African National Congress | |
| In office 1949–1954 |
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| President | James Moroka Albert Luthuli |
| Preceded by | James Arthur Calata |
| Succeeded by | Oliver Tambo |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Walter Max Ulyate Sisulu
18 May 1912 Ngcobo, Cape Province, Union of South Africa |
| Died | 5 May 2003 (aged 90) |
| Political party | African National Congress |
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Walter Max Ulyate Sisulu (born 18 May 1912 – died 5 May 2003) was a brave South African leader. He fought against a system called apartheid, which treated people unfairly because of their race. Walter Sisulu was a very important member of the African National Congress (ANC).
He spent more than 25 years in prison on Robben Island for his activism. This was because he stood up for what he believed in. He worked closely with other famous leaders like Oliver Tambo and Nelson Mandela. Together, they helped organize big protests and movements. These included the 1952 Defiance Campaign and setting up the ANC Youth League. He also helped create Umkhonto we Sizwe, which was the armed wing of the ANC.
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Walter Sisulu's Early Life
Walter Sisulu was born in 1912 in Ngcobo, a place that is now part of the Eastern Cape province in South Africa. He wasn't sure of his exact birthday, but he celebrated it on May 18. His mother, Alice Mase Sisulu, was a Xhosa domestic worker. His father was a white civil servant. Walter was raised by his mother's family and felt very connected to his Xhosa culture. Even though he had mixed heritage, he saw himself as a Black Xhosa person.
When he was a teenager, Walter left school to find work. He worked many different jobs in Johannesburg. He was a bank teller, a gold miner, and even a baker. He was fired from the bakery for trying to help his co-workers organize for better conditions. In 1939, he started his own company called Sitha Investments. It was the only real estate agency owned by a Black person in South Africa at that time. It helped Black and Indian people buy homes.
Joining the Fight Against Apartheid
In 1940, Walter Sisulu joined the African National Congress (ANC). The ANC was a group fighting for equal rights for all South Africans. The next year, Nelson Mandela moved to Johannesburg. Walter Sisulu introduced him to many activists. Walter encouraged Mandela to join the ANC and even helped him with his law school studies. He also introduced Mandela to his first wife, Evelyn Mase, who was Walter's relative.
The ANC Youth League and Defiance
In 1943, Walter, Mandela, and Oliver Tambo helped start the ANC Youth League. This group wanted the ANC to take stronger action against unfair laws. In 1948, the National Party came to power. They started making many new laws to create apartheid, a system of strict racial separation.
In 1949, Walter Sisulu became the ANC's Secretary-General. The Youth League pushed for a new plan of action. This plan focused on getting many people involved in protests. A big part of this was the 1952 Defiance Campaign. During this campaign, people peacefully broke unfair laws to show they were unjust. Walter was arrested for his part in this campaign. He and other leaders were found guilty of breaking a law against communism, but their prison sentences were put on hold.
Walter also traveled to other countries like Romania, Poland, and China. He met with leaders there to discuss their struggles for freedom.
Umkhonto we Sizwe and Armed Struggle
Walter Sisulu and Nelson Mandela were key in the ANC's decision to use armed struggle against the government. This meant fighting back with force when peaceful protests were not working. In 1961, a new group called Umkhonto we Sizwe was formed. Walter Sisulu was part of its leadership.
Over ten years, Walter was jailed seven times. He was also held under house arrest, meaning he couldn't leave his home.
The Rivonia Trial and Imprisonment
In 1963, Walter Sisulu went into hiding to avoid arrest. Because of this, his wife, Albertina Sisulu, became the first woman arrested under a new law. This law allowed the government to hold people for 90 days without charging them.
On July 11, Walter was caught at a place called Rivonia. Many other leaders, including Govan Mbeki and Ahmed Kathrada, were arrested with him. After a long court case known as the Rivonia Trial, Walter Sisulu was sentenced to life in prison on June 12, 1964.
Walter spent most of his prison time on Robben Island, a famous prison. Later, he was moved to Pollsmoor Prison. His wife, Albertina, was often banned from traveling. This made it very hard for her to visit him.
Release from Prison and New Role
Walter Sisulu and other leaders were finally released from prison on October 15, 1989. Walter was 77 years old. People celebrated his return to Soweto. He told the media that he never lost hope because the spirit of the people fighting outside was so strong.
In 1990, he was part of the ANC team that talked with the government. These talks led to the end of apartheid. In July 1991, Walter Sisulu was elected Deputy President of the ANC. He took this role to help unite younger leaders in the party.
Retirement and Legacy
In 1994, South Africa held its first democratic elections. The ANC won, and Nelson Mandela became president. But Walter Sisulu, who was older and tired from his long imprisonment, decided not to take a public office. He also chose not to run for re-election in the ANC leadership. He continued to live in Soweto with his family.
Walter Sisulu passed away at his home on May 5, 2003, just before his 91st birthday. He was given a special official funeral. Many people remember him for his quiet strength and humility. Nelson Mandela once said that Walter was often silent when others were shouting. After his release, Walter always spoke about the importance of bringing the country together.
Walter Sisulu's Family Life
In 1944, Walter married Albertina Sisulu, a nurse. Nelson Mandela was his best man at their wedding. Walter knew his fight for freedom would be difficult. He even told Albertina it was "useless buying new furniture" because he expected to be in jail. While he was in prison, Albertina became a very important anti-apartheid activist herself. She played big roles in groups like the United Democratic Front. Their marriage was seen as a strong partnership based on equality and shared goals.
Walter and Albertina had five children: Max, Mlungisi, Zwelakhe, Lindiwe, and Nonkululeko. They also adopted three other children. Many members of their family were also involved in the fight against apartheid and faced detention.
In 2002, Max's wife, Elinor, wrote a book about Walter and Albertina called Walter and Albertina Sisulu: In Our Lifetime.
Awards and Recognition
Walter Sisulu received many honors for his work.
- In 1992, he was given the Isitwalandwe Medal, the highest honor from the ANC.
- In 1998, the government of India gave him the Padma Vibhushan award.
- In 2004, he was ranked 33rd on a list of Great South Africans.
- Several places are named after him, including the Walter Sisulu National Botanic Garden, Walter Sisulu University, and the Walter Sisulu Local Municipality.
See also
In Spanish: Walter Sisulu para niños
- List of people subject to banning orders under apartheid
- History of the African National Congress
