Deputy President David Mabuza will address the Special Official Memorial Service for the late liberation struggle stalwart, Dr Zola Themba Skweyiya, this afternoon.
Skweyiya, who passed away on 11 April, was a former Minister of Social Development and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Ireland.
His memorial service will get underway at midday at the Tshwane Events Centre.
Motorists are advised that WF Nkomo, Eskia Mphahlele, Soutter Street and Maltzan Street are closed to traffic. The road closures will be in place until 5pm. Motorists are advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes where possible.
“Dr Skweyiya has served the country selflessly and with distinction during his tenure as Minister of Public Service and Administration from 1994 to 1999 and later served as Minister of Social Development before retiring as a Member of Parliament in 2009,” said the Presidency in statement.
In 2009, Skweyiya was appointed a High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Ireland, a position that acknowledged the long period he had spent in exile during the apartheid era.
Deputy President Mabuza extended his heartfelt condolences to the Skweyiya family and the governing party, the African National Congress, on the passing of one of South Africa’s most respected struggle veterans and human rights activist.
President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a Special Official Funeral, Category 1, for Skweyiya and ordered that the National Flag be flown at half-mast at all flag stations countrywide and at South African Diplomatic Missions abroad until the evening of 21 April 2018 -- the day of the funeral.
President Ramaphosa will deliver the eulogy at the Special Official Funeral Service on Saturday, 21 April, at the CRC Church in Pretoria East. – SAnews.gov.za
