( CNN ) -- South Africans gathered at a stadium Saturday for the funeral service of a woman considered the mother of the nation 's liberation struggle . Albertina Sisulu , 92 , died at her home last week . Crowds gathered at a football stadium in Soweto for the service , which follows a week of national mourning . Flags were flown at half mast in the nation and its overseas consulates during the mourning period . `` One of the most steadfast , dignified and disciplined pillars of our struggle has fallen , '' said South African President Jacob Zuma , who attended the funeral . `` An era has ended . '' Sisulu was married to anti-apartheid leader Walter Sisulu , who was imprisoned for decades with former South African President Nelson Mandela . In his book , `` Long Walk to Freedom , '' Mandela says the couple 's home was `` a mecca for activists '' during the fight against apartheid . `` It was a warm ( and ) welcoming place , '' he says , and describes her as having `` a wise and wonderful presence . '' But the woman affectionately called `` Ma Sisulu '' was also an icon in her own right . She helped nurture a new generation of leaders in between detention periods that included a 1963 seizure by the apartheid government that led to a solitary confinement for weeks South African officials said , . Sisulu would take to the streets as soon as she was freed to rally against the trials of anti-apartheid movement leaders , the ruling African National Congress said in a statement . After her husband was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964 , she was banned from attending gatherings of more than two people and taking part in political activities , the ruling party said . In the 1960s , she faced various bans , including one confining her to her home at nights , weekends and public holidays , according to the party . Despite the setbacks , she continued with her quest for liberation . `` Although politics has given me a rough life , there is absolutely nothing I regret about what I have done and what has happened to me and my family , '' she has said . `` Instead , I have been strengthened and feel more of a woman than I would otherwise have felt if my life was different . '' Zuma described the diminutive woman as a `` pillar of strength not only for her family , but also the entire liberation '' movement . `` She reared , counseled , nursed and educated most of the leaders and founders of the democratic South Africa , '' the president said in a statement . Sisulu founded the Federation of South African Women and other civic organizations . Her husband died in 2003 .
Zuma describes her as a `` dignified and disciplined '' pillar for the fight to end apartheid . Albertina Sisulu and her husband played a pivotal role in the fight for liberation . Her funeral follows a week of national mourning . Flags fly at half-mast during the mourning period .