Pretoria - A Special Official Funeral will be held for the late former Social Development Deputy Minister Bongi Maria Ntuli, the Presidency said on Friday.
“President Jacob Zuma has declared a Special Official Funeral for former Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ms Bongi Maria Ntuli, who passed away on Saturday, 22 October in Pretoria after a long illness,” said the Presidency.
The former Deputy Minister will be laid to rest tomorrow.
The Special Official Funeral Category 2 is for the Spouse of a serving President, the Spouse of a serving Deputy President, Deputy Ministers, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Permanent Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Deputy Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa and the President of the Supreme Court of Appeal.
President Zuma has ordered that the national flag at all flag stations in the country be flown at half-mast as from today until the day of the funeral tomorrow.
The former Deputy Minster was also a former Member of Parliament and also served as Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry.
She was also an active participant at the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (Codesa) talks that shaped the kind of democracy being enjoyed today.
“We must celebrate her life and contribution to the struggle for the liberation of our country as well as her invaluable input into the rebuilding and reconstruction of post-apartheid South Africa. We send our heartfelt condolences to her family, relatives and friends. May her soul rest in peace,” said President Zuma.
The Mpumalanga Provincial Government, together with the Department of Social Development, will communicate the details of the funeral, said the Presidency. –SAnews.gov.za
