Preparations underway for Molewa's send off

Friday, September 28, 2018

The official memorial service for Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa will take place at the Tshwane Events Centre, Hall J, on 3 October 2018, at 10h00.

The Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on State Funerals, led by Minister in the Presidency, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, made the announcement on Friday afternoon.

“On behalf of the government of South Africa, the IMC appreciates the various tributes and messages received from various governments, institutions and individuals. We urge all South Africans to preserve the memory of Minister Molewa and the contribution she has made in building a prosperous South Africa,” said Dlamini-Zuma.

Following Molewa’s passing, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a period of mourning with immediate effect and ordered that the national flag be flown at half-mast at all flag stations countrywide and at South African diplomatic missions abroad.

President Ramaphosa also declared an Official Funeral (category 1) for Molewa which includes a ceremonial guard and military honours.

The official funeral service will take place on Saturday, 6 October 2018, from Tshwane Events Centre, Hall J and proceed to Zandfontein Cemetery in Pretoria West.

“Mourners may attend evening prayer services which will be held at the Molewa residence at 19h00 daily until Friday, 05 October 2018,” said Dlamini-Zuma.

The Environmental Affairs Minister passed away at the age of 61 in a Pretoria hospital on Saturday, 22 September 2018.

In a statement by the family, Molewa’s brother Fana Mmethi said the Minister succumbed to complications of Legionnaires disease.

Mourners can send their messages of condolence and support to the family and friends by making use of condolence books available at the following places:

  • The Molewa family residence;
  • The Union Buildings;
  • Department of Environmental Affairs Offices in Pretoria and Cape Town;
  • Premiers’ office in all provinces;
  • Sefako Makgatho University;
  • Vaal University of Technology;
  • South African National Parks;
  • South African National Biodiversity Institute; and
  • South African Weather Service.

In addition, the IMC encouraged mourners to make use of the following hashtags #Molewamemorial and #Molewafuneral to send their messages of condolence via social media.

In July this year, Molewa was awarded the Officier de ’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur (Officer in the French Legion of Honour), one of France’s top honours. 

Molewa was awarded for her contribution to the liberation struggle, women’s rights and her illustrious effort in environmental protection.

Molewa was the Premier of the North West between 2004 and 2009. Thereafter she was appointed Social Development Minister between 2009 and 2010.

She was appointed as Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs in 2010 before the two portfolios were split after the 2014 general elections.

She maintained the Environmental Affairs portfolio until her passing.  – SAnews.gov.za