Pretoria - The South African Nursing Council (SANC) has described the late Albertina Sisulu as a pioneer, who used adversity as a driving force for community-oriented nursing.
"Through the window of nursing, Mama Sisulu was able to view with particular clarity fundamental struggles and tension that were taking place in South Africa at the time. Nursing brought her to the heart of South African conditions, for in nursing she was confronted by the intensity of the dynamics of race, class and gender," said SANC chairperson Nonhlanhla Makhanya.
Joining the country in mourning the death of Sisulu, Makhanya said Sisulu's passing on has left a void and. She urged nurses who did not respect the ethics of the profession to take a page out of Sisulu's exemplary book.
"She was an icon and a mother to the nursing profession ... (who) struggled for better health for all at the height of inhumane apartheid system," said Makhanya.
Sisulu, who contributed 43 years of her life to the nursing profession, joined the nursing profession after completing her training and received a certificate in Nursing in 1944 at the then Johannesburg Non-European Hospital (now Chris Hani Baragwanath).
She worked at the hospital as a nurse and later trained and obtained a Certificate in Midwifery in 1954.
Sisulu died on Thursday night at her home in Linden, Johannesburg, at the age of 92.
President Jacob Zuma has granted her an Official Funeral Category 1. This funeral category is reserved for distinguished persons, specifically designated by the President of the Republic of South Africa.
Zuma has instructed that the National Flags should be flown at half-mast at every flag station in the country and all foreign missions abroad from Saturday, 4 June 2011 until the evening of the burial. This shall also apply to the burial site.
The President has further declared National Days of Mourning, which will commence from Saturday, 4 June 2011 until the evening of the burial.
The South African National Defence Force will also provide the military honours.
