Walter & Albertina Sisulu: In Our Lifetime
The definitive biography of an extraordinary partnership and a shared struggle which blends political history with a moving story of resilience, hope, and enduring love.
For over five decades, Walter and Albertina Sisulu stood at the forefront of South Africa’s fight against apartheid. Their lives — marked by sacrifice, separation, and unbreakable commitment — are inseparable from the history of the liberation movement.
As Secretary-General of the ANC, Walter Sisulu helped shape the movement’s direction until his imprisonment in 1964, when he was sentenced to life alongside Nelson Mandela. As he spent 26 years imprisoned, Albertina Sisulu emerged as a leader in her own right. Banned, harassed, and repeatedly detained, she kept the ANC alive underground and later served as co-President of the United Democratic Front, guiding the struggle from the frontlines.
“We are each required to walk our own road and then stop, assess what we have learned, and share it with others … Then it is up to them to make of it what they will.” — Albertina Sisulu
This biography presents a rare dual perspective: the story of a man imprisoned for his ideals, and the woman who ensured those ideals survived. Together, they embody the patience, resilience, and partnership that helped shape democratic South Africa.
🏆 Noma Award for Publishing in Africa
📚 Alan Paton Award finalist
Why This Book Matters
* A definitive account of Walter and Albertina Sisulu’s intertwined lives
* Highlights Albertina’s leadership in sustaining the liberation struggle
* Explores love, sacrifice, and the human costs of political activism
* Offers insights into the inner workings of the ANC and the United Democratic Front
*Preserves the story of South Africa’s struggle for future generations