Affectionately known as the Mother of the Nation or Ma Sisulu, she was best known for her role as an anti-activist struggle heroine and the wife of Walter Sisulu. Her demeanour was one of absolute humility and an unassuming manner that belied her strength as a leader who exuded quiet resilience in the face of great adversity and hardships through years of persecution. Through it all she remained steadfast and resolute unfaltering in her quest for a liberated and non-racial South Africa. Her most famous quote: “Your behaviour is the best teacher, it is more powerful than anything you can say!”
She holds a special place of honour among South African leaders and one that is worth celebrating.
South African women can be summed up in one sentence : “You strike a woman, you strike a rock.” It’s been 64 years since those words made an impact on society. More than half a century later and we’ve made remarkable progress but there’s still so much left to do. Let’s draw inspiration from some of the most powerful women in South African history. One such woman is Lilian Masediba Ngoyi.
