Albertina Sisulu vs Babrak Karmal

Albertina Sisulu joined the ANC and became a prominent anti-apartheid activist. She was a key organizer of the 1956 Women's March against pass laws and was repeatedly arrested and banned by the apartheid regime.

Sisulu was elected President of the ANC Women's League, advocating for women's rights within the liberation movement. She played a key role in ensuring gender equality was included in South Africa's new constitution.

Sisulu was elected Deputy President of the ANC, becoming one of the highest-ranking women in the party. She served in Parliament and was a respected elder stateswoman until her retirement.

Babrak Karmal was installed as President of Afghanistan by the Soviet Union in December 1979, following the Soviet invasion. He led the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan during the early years of the Soviet-Afghan War, implementing unpopular reforms and relying on Soviet military support.

Karmal was replaced as General Secretary of the People's Democratic Party by Mohammad Najibullah in May 1986, under Soviet pressure. He was effectively sidelined, though he remained in Afghanistan until his death. This marked the end of his direct political influence.

Babrak Karmal died in Moscow in 1996, reportedly from liver cancer. He had been living in exile in the Soviet Union since his removal from power. His death went largely unnoticed in Afghanistan, where the civil war was raging.