Albertina Sisulu funeral held in South Africa

Thousands of South Africans have attended the funeral of one of the leading figures of the anti-apartheid movement, Albertina Sisulu.

In a message read to the mourners, former president Nelson Mandela paid tribute to her as “one of the greatest South Africans”.

Mrs Sisulu was active in the woman’s league of the African National Congress and was married to Walter Sisulu, who brought Nelson Mandela into the ANC.

She died last week at the age of 92.

President Jacob Zuma called her a “national heroine” who had mentored many of South Africa’s political and business leaders.

He had declared an official funeral with military honours.

Senior generals carried Mrs Sisulu’s coffin into the 40,000-seat Orlando Stadium in Soweto, the township outside Johannesburg that became synonymous with the struggle against apartheid.

Delivering the eulogy, Mr Zuma said: “An era has ended and the nation is devastated but we are proud to be associated with Mama Albertina Nontsikelelo Sisulu.

“We are laying to rest a stalwart, a mother of the nation who combined resilience and fortitude in fighting colonial oppression and apartheid with compassion for the poor and the downtrodden,” he said.

“Many of today’s senior leaders in government, politics and business matured under her guidance, care and love.”