Pretoria - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will represent President Jacob Zuma, the government and people of South Africa at the state funeral of the late Zambian President, Michael Sata on Tuesday.
He is expected to depart for Lusaka on Monday, where he will, together with other Heads of State and Government, pay his last respects during the viewing ceremony of the body as it lies in state.
The Deputy President will on Tuesday join other dignitaries and mourners at the state funeral.
The late President Sata, who was 77 years old, died at a London hospital late last month.
President Zuma, in conveying is condolences of the government and people of South Africa to the government and people of Zambia, said President Sata belongs to the generation of leaders produced by Zambia during the colonial times and gallantly pursued the anti-colonial struggle.
“His death reminds the people of South Africa of the immeasurable sacrifice and the sterling leadership role that Zambia played in ridding the African continent of the yoke of colonial domination and apartheid rule,” said the President.
"President Sata supported robust economic transformation of the country, which led to positive economic growth and increased investment in Zambia. His contribution to the work of bodies such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU) would be sorely missed,” he said.
Deputy President Ramaphosa is expected to return to South Africa later on Tuesday. – SAnews.gov.za
