Pretoria - If Albertina Sisulu's children needed acknowledgement of the impact their mother had on South Africans, they need only to check the internet to find out.
Social network feeds today were flooded with messages of condolences while some relived the sacrifices she made for the nation.
People from different corners lauded the mother of the nation, for her spirit, humility, respect for human dignity, and the scarifies she made in South Africa's struggle for democracy.
"We are lucky to have had great sons and daughters in Mama Sisulu's mould...as they leave us one by one, ours is to ensure their sacrifices were never in vain!," wrote one Facebook user.
Another user said: "MaSisulu's death should serve as a reminder for the country to remember where we come from.
"It is the immense contribution and sacrifices made by the likes of the late Mama Albertina Sisulu that brought this wonderful country to where it is today. Mama Sisulu we will always be grateful to u and everything u have done for this country... Lala ngoxolo Mama, we salute you!," he wrote.
MaSisulu was a widow of African National Congress (ANC) stalwart Walter Sisulu, who experienced years of detention, banning and arrests during the Apartheid struggle.
She was born in the Tsomo district of the Transkei in 1918, one of five children of Bonilizwe and Monikazi Tetiwe. Orphaned as a teenager, she left the Transkei in 1946 to work in Johannesburg as a nurse.
In 1944, she married Walter and the couple had five children, Max Vuyisile, Mlungisi, Zwelakhe, Lindiwe and Nonkululeko. She helped form the Federation of South African Women in 1954 and the following year helped launch the Freedom Charter.
She joined the ANC Women's League and, when it was relaunched in 1990, became its deputy president.
Walter, who spent many years imprisoned with Nelson Mandela on Robben Island, died in 2003 at the age of 90.
Her name is always included in a list of remarkable women: Helen Joseph, Lillian Ngoyi, Sophie de Bruyn, Dorothy Nyembe, Charlotte Maxeke, Ruth First, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Epainette Mbeki and Amina Cachalia. Many, like Albertina Sisulu, marched on the Union Buildings in 1956 in protest at pass laws and oppression.
Other network users said she was a true hero of our struggle and that the country remains indebted to her.
"Rest in Peace Mama Albertina Sisulu. Convey our greetings to Tata uSisulu and to all the heroes and heroines of our liberation struggle. Shake the hands of all the leadership of the ANC and tell them that the ANC is in charge and our country is in good hands. They must continue guiding us to greater heights.
Condolences to her family and closed friends," wrote a Facebook user.
It was the same on Twitter, with many re-tweeting her infamous line in 1987- "Women are the people who are going to relieve us from all this oppression and depression. The rent boycott that is happening in Soweto now is alive because of the women. It is the women who are on the street committees educating the people to stand up and protect each other."
"A nation has lost a legend. R.I.P. Mama #Albertina Sisulu, your contributions to SA will never be forgotten," while one tweeted "What an admirable, strong woman was #Albertina. RIP and joyous reunion with your beloved Walter."
Albertina and hubby Walter's love story has become a force to be reckoned with, spanning more than 59 years.
Their marriage went on to stand the test of pain, time and 26 years of separation. Complementing each other with wisdom, integrity and humble strength, Walter and Albertina's relationship exemplified love, sacrifice and undeniable strength of character.
Despite the many years of separation, harassment and brutal oppression of their family, Walter and Albertina displayed compassion and commitment to each other, their family and the cause of liberation in their land.
