Walter Sisulu was a South African anti-apartheid activist and politician. He was the second president of South Africa, serving from 1964 to 1981. Sisulu was also the first black person to be elected to the House of Representatives, and he served as Deputy President of South Africa from 1981 to 1989.
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Walter Sisulu Timeline
Walter Sisulu was a major leader in the South African anti-apartheid movement. His legacy began in the 1940s, when he joined the African National Congress (ANC). He was instrumental in the formation of the ANC Youth League in 1944, and was elected Secretary General of the ANC in 1949. In 1955, Sisulu was a key figure in the Congress of the People, which adopted the Freedom Charter. He was arrested in 1956 and charged with high treason, but the charges were eventually dropped. In the 1960s, Sisulu and his close friend Nelson Mandela were central figures in the ANC’s armed struggle against apartheid. They were arrested in 1962 and spent the next 27 years in prison. After their release, Sisulu continued to fight for freedom and democracy until his death in 2003. His legacy continues to inspire people around the world.
Early Years (1912-1953)
Walter Sisulu was an iconic South African activist and leader in the anti-apartheid struggle. He was born in 1912 in the rural Transkei region of South Africa and was raised in a Methodist family. Throughout his early years, he was heavily influenced by the teachings of his grandfather, who was a staunch advocate for justice and equality. Sisulu was a bright and inquisitive student, but he was never able to complete his formal education due to his financial situation.
In 1934, Sisulu joined the African National Congress (ANC). Throughout the 1930s, he was part of a group of young men who held regular meetings, discussed politics, and organized protests and demonstrations against laws that discriminated against black people. Sisulu was especially vocal in his opposition to the “pass laws”, which required black people to carry identification documents at all times.
In 1940, Sisulu met and married Albertina, the daughter of a Methodist pastor. The couple had five children together and Sisulu took on the role of a dedicated father and provider. In 1943, he was elected to the executive committee of the ANC, and by 1944 he was the organization’s general secretary. Through this position, Sisulu was able to travel the country to meet with local leaders and organize protests.
During the 1950s, Sisulu was one of the primary organizers of the Defiance Campaign, a series of civil disobedience protests that sought to bring attention to the injustices of the apartheid system. The campaign was largely successful, and Sisulu’s leadership was instrumental in making it so. In 1953, he was arrested and sentenced to nine months in prison for “incitement and participation in illegal gatherings.”
Walter Sisulu’s early years were marked by his commitment to the struggle for justice and equality. His tireless commitment and leadership set the stage for his later years as an important figure in the anti-apartheid struggle. His legacy continues to inspire generations of South Africans, and his commitment to justice and equality will always be remembered.
Political Career (1953-1964)
Walter Sisulu was an iconic figure in South African politics, particularly during the 1950s and 1960s. His political career began in 1953 when he was elected to the African National Congress (ANC) and was elected to the organization’s National Executive in 1955. During his time in the ANC, Sisulu was heavily involved in the fight against apartheid and was a key figure in the launching of the Defiance Campaign in 1952.
Sisulu was also an instrumental figure in the formation of the South African Coloured People’s Organisation (SACPO) in 1954, and he was appointed its first president. He was an outspoken advocate for the rights of black South Africans, and often clashed with the white minority government, which he felt was suppressing his people’s rights. As the struggle against apartheid grew more intense, Sisulu was arrested in 1956 and charged with treason. After being acquitted of the charges, he went into exile in 1961.
During his exile, Sisulu continued to push for an end to apartheid and supported the formation of the militant Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation) in 1961. He returned to South Africa in 1963 and was soon arrested and charged with treason for a second time. This time, however, he was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was released from prison in 1989 and continued to fight for an end to apartheid until apartheid was abolished in 1994.
Walter Sisulu’s political career was marked by his unwavering commitment to ending apartheid and ensuring the rights of black South Africans. His legacy is remembered fondly by those who knew him, and his contribution to the struggle against apartheid continues to be celebrated to this day.
Anti-Apartheid Activism (1964-1990)
Walter Sisulu was one of the most influential figures in South Africa’s anti-apartheid activism from 1964 to 1990. Born in 1912 in the rural village of Ngcobo in the Transkei, Sisulu moved to Johannesburg in 1927 and began a career as a political activist. His journey to becoming a leader of the African National Congress (ANC) began in 1944 when he joined the ANC Youth League, along with Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo, and he was elected president of the ANC in 1949.
Under Sisulu’s leadership, the ANC adopted a militant stance towards the apartheid regime and he was arrested and charged with treason in 1956. Although the charges were eventually dropped, Sisulu continued to be a vocal opponent of apartheid, and in 1964 he was jailed for life alongside Mandela and seven other political leaders.
During his imprisonment, Sisulu was the most senior ANC official to remain in South Africa and he continued to be a symbol of the anti-apartheid struggle. As a result, he was frequently targeted by the government and was only allowed limited visits by family and other ANC leaders.
Sisulu was released from prison in 1989, and his release was considered an important step towards the start of negotiations for a new South Africa. He continued to be a leading figure in the negotiations and in 1990 was elected Deputy President of the ANC, a position he held until his retirement in 1993.
Sisulu was a key figure in South Africa’s transition from apartheid to democracy, and his contribution to the anti-apartheid movement will always be remembered. He passed away in 2003 but his legacy lives on in the many activists who continue to fight for human rights and social justice in South Africa.
Conclusion
Walter Sisulu was an important figure in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. He was a leader of the African National Congress and spent over 25 years in prison for his political activism. After his release from prison, he played a key role in the negotiations that led to the end of apartheid. He died in 2003 at the age of 90.
