The late former Cabinet Minister and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Zola Skweyiya, will receive a Special Official Funeral.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, accompanied by Deputy President David Mabuza, made the announcement at Skweyiya’s house in Tshwane when he went to pay his respects to the family of the late former Minister.
“With Dr Skweyiya as well, we will be declaring a Special Official Funeral, not only because he was a past Minister but also because of his stature in our movement, in the struggle and in the contribution that he has made in the liberation and development of our people,” said President Ramaphosa.
A Special Official Funeral entails elements of military ceremonial honours and is declared, in line with the Presidency’s State, Official and Provincial Official Funeral Policy, for persons of extraordinary credentials specifically designated by the President of the Republic of South Africa.
Skweyiya passed away on Wednesday at the age of 75 after a period of hospitalisation. He passed away just three days shy of his 76th birthday on 14 April.
Skweyiya served as Minister of the Public Service and Administration from 1994 to 1999 and later as Minister of Social Development before retiring as a Member of Parliament in 2009.
In the same year, Dr Skweyiya was appointed High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland – a position that acknowledged the long period Dr Skweyiya had spent in exile during the apartheid era.
The Presidency said details of memorial events will be communicated in due course.
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