A LBERTINA Sisulu’s final journey will begin at her house in Khumalo Street, Orlando East, and follow a route similar to that which her late husband Walter took eight years ago.
MaSisulu’s coffin will be draped in two different flags tomorrow and, at journey’s end, will come to rest in the plot alongside her husband’s grave.
The journey from her home in Khumalo Street will begin with the coffin draped in an ANC flag. Cabinet members, high-level ANC members and possibly heads of state will join the procession.
As of yesterday, according to ANC spokesman Keith Khoza, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete had confirmed he was coming. Khoza said other heads of state were expected, and they would know by today.
The military will take ownership of the event at Orlando Stadium, with Master Chief Warrant Officer Johan Scheepers being in charge.
At Orlando Stadium, away from the public’s gaze, the ANC flag will be replaced by a South African flag. The coffin will then be slow-marched into the stadium. It is here where President Jacob Zuma will speak.
From Orlando Stadium, the procession will snake its way to Croesus cemetery in Bosmont.
When the coffin is over the grave, a small South African flag will be handed to the family.
The army chaplain will give the service, and once the Last Post has been played, the military will end their commitment and the family will take charge.
Today, the soldiers taking part in the state funeral will be going through their final rehearsal.
“If everything goes smoothly, I will be more relaxed,” Scheepers said.
MaSisulu’s funeral will take place from 9am tomorrow. It will be televised live on SABC2 and on eNews.
About 500 buses and seven trains will transport mourners to the stadium.
Metrorail will operate free train services for the funeral, the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) said.
“Commuters travelling from Vereeniging, Larella, Daveyton, Katlehong, Springs, Mabopane and Pienaarspoort will be able to attend MaSisulu’s funeral free of charge,” Prasa CEO Lucky Montana said.
Buses will transport people from Joburg, Tshwane, the West Rand, Ekurhuleni and Sedibeng.
Meanwhile, there will be other opportunities for members of the public to pay their respects.
Tonight, MaSisulu’s coffin is expected to be taken to the Holy Cross Church, opposite her house in Orlando East.
There will be a mass at 4pm and the coffin will remain at the church until 10pm.
“People will stay on for an all-night vigil,” said Khoza.
Yesterday, dignitaries and members of the community flocked to the Pretoria City Hall for a memorial service for MaSisulu.
She was described as a fearless warrior queen who had sacrificed a lot in her life for the liberation of South Africa.
Among those attending were Nelson Mandela’s wife Graça Machel, Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane, former deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities Lulu Xingwana and ANC Women’s League president Angie Motshekga.
Some of MaSisulu’s children, including National Assembly Speaker Max Sisulu and Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, sat in the front row alongside Machel and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
Members of the ANC Women’s League, of which MaSisulu was a proud member, also attended the memorial service in large numbers.
A short film about MaSisulu was shown to the audience. It documented some important moments in her life, including her involvement in the women’s march to the Union Buildings in 1956.
The hall burst into song when ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe took to the podium to address the service, explaining that most of what MaSisulu had done throughout her life had been rooted in her upbringing.
According to Mantashe, MaSisulu grew up in a community that was obsessed with success, and she had become who she was despite her humble beginnings.
“The early upbringing of MaSisulu was reflected in how she raised her own children, and this should be one of the lessons that we draw from her life,” Mantashe said. - SHAUN SMILLIE, MOGOMOTSI MAGOME AND PATRICK HLAHLA