MaSisulu - nation mourns a legend

Where Do Broken Hearts Go? - the Whitney Houston love classic - was a favourite of the late Albertina and Walter Sisulu. And they once requested Kaya FM's Lawrence Dube to play it during an interview on his show.

Following the death on Thursday of MaSisulu, as she was affectionately known, her great-grandson, Thulani Sisulu, 29, said his heart was broken.

''I grew up with Gogo always around and, two weeks ago, she complained that she didn't see me around the house any more," he said as scores of mourners came to pay their respects at the Sisulu home in Linden, Johannesburg.

With four days of mourning declared by President Jacob Zuma, flags are flying at half-mast around the country in tribute to the struggle stalwart, who died at home aged 92.

She will be given a state funeral, but no details have been announced.

Elizabeth Mmamokwena, who worked for the family for over 10 years, could not hold back the tears as she spoke of her last moments with MaSisulu.

"She woke up fine. We spent the day in the sun, in the garden, while she had her hair plaited and her nails done," said Mmamokwena.

She served MaSisulu lunch before leaving for Natalspruit, as she had been given the afternoon off. She later received the news of her death.

''I can still see her smile."

The Sisulu home was filled with visitors on Friday and again yesterday, among them mining boss Patrice Motsepe, former spy boss Billy Masetlha and cabinet minister Lulu Xingwana.

Scores of ordinary people arrived with flowers as VIPs, including Zuma, former president Thabo Mbeki, Johannesburg mayor Parks Tau, Bantu Holomisa, Bishop Mvume Dandala and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela called on the family .

Ansie Vicente of Randburg arrived with her two teenage girls in their school uniforms.

''I am not a neighbour and I have never met her. My child was born after 1994, and I am not sure if she understands the depth of what people went through for our democracy," said Vicente. ''But it is important for me that my daughter learns about and honours the people who fought for the freedom she is experiencing."

Many braved the cold on Friday night as they held a vigil outside the Sisulu home.

Said neighbour Petro Fry: "When I saw an ambulance leaving her house, I knew something was wrong. I was so sad when I heard she is dead. The Sisulus represent history."

Marizel Lurens said: "She was a wonderful woman. She let us into her house and allowed us to sit on a couch. You don't expect that from important people."

She was a little girl herself when Nelson Mandela used to visit Walter Sisulu. "We are very lucky to have such warm-hearted people as neighbours."

Elderly AfrikanerSandy Barnard said: ''I saw her once at the Milpark Hospital and I got such a beautiful smile from her. I will never forget that face for as long as I live. My heart breaks for the family - what a family, what a family."

MaSisulu had an intimate bond with many, including former minister of communications Siphiwe Nyanda.

''To her, I was never General Nyanda. MaSisulu called me her son. She was the midwife who helped my mother give birth the day I was born. She brought me into this world," said Nyanda.

Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane said: ''I got to meet her when I was released from Robben Island, and she came out as one of the mature stalwarts in the organisation. She was a pillar of strength to those of us who were young at that time."