Malamulele – Matimba and Tsakani Chabane, the son and daughter of the late Public Service and Administration Minister, Collins Chabane, have paid tribute to their loving father.
An emotional Tsakani Chabane sang her heart out for her father one last time at his funeral – something he always loved. She sang Beyonce’s song “Heaven” which brought tears to the crowds of people gathered at the Salema Sports Ground.
Matimba told his sister that she had just made their father very happy.
Paying tribute to his father, Matimba said his father died in the line of duty. “My old man died in the line of duty,” he said on Saturday.
Minister Chabane passed away on Sunday, 15 March, in a crash on the N1 in Limpopo. Two of his protectors, Sergeants Lesiba Sekele and Lawrence Lentsoane, also died in the collision.
“It is all a matter of time and we should accept that. In the meantime we owe it to him to live like how he live.
“He was a very structured man. My father didn’t have drama, he was always laughing,” a soft-spoken Matimba said, capturing the hearts and attention of thousands of mourners at the funeral service.
A real chip off the old block, Matimba – the son of the late Minister Chabane – was every bit as composed and considered, even managing a funny anecdote or two, when he took to the podium.
According to Matimba his father wanted to play golf every day and sometimes preferred to go fishing. He also thanked his mother, Mavis, for being the ‘guiding force’ for his father while he was in exile.
He concluded paying tribute to his late father by telling his mother that she was doing exceptionally well as a mother.
Representatives from COSATU and churches will also pay tribute to the late Minister.
This will be followed by President Jacob Zuma who is expected to deliver the eulogy.
There will be a SANDF ceremonial guard of honour as the cortege departs for the cemetery.
At the cemetery the national flag will be removed from the coffin by the military and handed over to the family.
The Minister’s funeral is an official funeral category one, which is reserved for serving Ministers, Speaker of the National Assembly, Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa, Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces and Premiers of provinces.
His official memorial service was held on Thursday at the Tshwane Events Centre, where thousands of mourners came to pay their respects.
*Click here to read the full programme of the late Minsiter's funeral. – SAnews.gov.za
