The Times Editorial: As we mourn the passing of Albertina Sisulu, the end of a life lived with honour, courage and integrity, are we satisfied that we, as a country, are paying fitting tribute to her for the sacrifices she and others have made?

Can we be sure that the South Africa we now inhabit is a worthy, living testament to the decades of deprivation that women such as Albertina Sisulu had to endure in the name of the apartheid struggle?

If we are honest, we must admit that today's South Africa is not the living monument that a woman like Sisulu and a man like Nelson Mandela deserve.

There is no honour in a racially polarised country in which there is an uncomfortable return of minority talk.

There is no worthy monument to be found in a South Africa that, 17 years after political emancipation, has yet to offer most of its citizens economic liberation.

There certainly is no respect for others' views when the leader of the ANC Youth League speaks with contempt of those who do not share his political orientation.

There is no honour in an ambassador who makes himself guilty of homophobia and a government seemingly unwilling to recall him.

There is nothing respectful of human dignity in service delivery protests, open toilets and the killing of Andries Tatane.

It is easy for the great and the good to pay homage to MaSisulu in media sound bites. But how much more effective would it be if South Africans - from the Union Buildings to the squatter camps - recalled past lessons and the honour that came from waging a just struggle?

Our struggle for the liberation of all our citizens is far from over. Sadly, unlike the Sisulus, Mlangenis, Slovos, Kathradas and Septembers, we have forgotten about unity in adversity.