The 'quiet giant’ of the South African liberation struggle against apartheid, Walter Sisulu, was laid to rest at Croesus Cemetery near Soweto on May 17, 2003 in the same way he lived his life - with quiet dignity and honour.

Earlier, thousands of mourners gathered at Orlando Stadium in Soweto to pay their last respects to Sisulu. In a dignified, emotional and nostalgic ceremony, tinged with grief and sadness, South Africans bid "hamba kahle" ("go well") to one of their country’s foremost anti-apartheid heroes in a special funeral, witnessed by his grieving widow Albertina, 84, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as close friend and former jailmate Nelson Mandela.

Sisulu’s death at home on May 5, two weeks short of his 91st birthday, leaves Mandela as the sole survivor of a core, oldest generation of South African freedom fighters who fought to end white minority rule in their country. They spent more than a quarter of a century in prison.

RELATED COVERAGE

Nation Bids Farewell to Sisulu, 'Quiet Giant’ of the Struggle 2003 5 17 allAfrica.com (Washington, DC)
The 'quiet giant’ of the South African liberation struggle against apartheid, Walter Sisulu, was laid to rest at Croesus Cemetery near Soweto, Saturday, in the same way he lived his life - with quiet dignity and honour.

Anti-Apartheid Hero Walter Sisulu dies at 90 2003 5 6 allAfrica.com (Washington, DC)
Tributes poured in Tuesday for the South African anti-apartheid hero, Walter Sisulu, who died Monday night in the arms of his wife and fellow liberation activist, Albertina, at their Johannesburg home.

TRIBUTES

Sisulu Tribute - 'Has Your Name Been Enrolled In The Struggle For Freedom?'

Sisulu's 'Wisdom And Quiet Leadership' Provided the Movement's Bedrock Core

'Humanity, Humility and Sensitivity' Characterize Walter Sisulu

Sisulu One of South Africa's Greatest Sons - Mbeki

Sisulu - Nelson, Is That You?

Mandela - Sisulu Was the Magnet; A Part of Me is Gone

WEB SITE SPECIALS

African National Congress: Walter Max Ulyate Sisulu

South African Broadcasting Corporation: Walter Max Ulyate Sisulu