Pretoria – The memorial service and funeral for the late former Springbok captain and rugby legend, Joost van der Westhuizen, is underway at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria.
Van der Westhuizen passed away on Monday after a long battle with Motor Neurone Disease.
The funeral, attended by Amore Vittone and his two children, various rugby heroes and Sports Minister Fikile Mbalulam, has been declared a special provincial official funeral by President Jacob Zuma.
The Presidency said van der Westhuizen will be remembered for his splendid talent and excellent leadership that he has displayed in the rugby national team and in the sports community at large, which made him one of the best rugby players that the country has ever produced.
President Zuma, on behalf of government and all South Africans, has conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the van der Westhuizen family and all in the sports fraternity.
“President Zuma has ordered that National Flag at all flag stations in the Gauteng province be flown at half-mast today, the day of his funeral,” said the President. - SAnews.gov.za
