Mourners to pay final respects to MaMbeki

THOUSANDS of mourners will today pay their last respects to Epainette Nomaka Mbeki at her funeral at Ngcingwana village in Dutywa this morning.

The funeral will be held at the Ngcingwana Sports Field – not far from the Mbeki home – starting at 9am.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is to deliver an eulogy on behalf of government during the funeral service which will be attended by politicians, business people, royals and senior government officials as well as rural folk – the people who close to her heart.

Lesotho’s King Letsie III is also expected to attend and pay homage. The programme director will be Advocate Marumo Moerane. Police spokeswoman Brigadier Marinda Mills said 60 police officers would participate in the funeral procession.

MaMbeki died on Saturday at Life St Dominic’s Hospital in East London.

She will be buried next to her daughter Linda at Dutywa Cemetery near the Govan Mbeki Township, named after her husband who was buried in Port Elizabeth in 2001.

Provincial government spokeswoman Nomfanelo

were Kota said MaMbeki’s body would leave from East London at 5am and arrive around 7am.

Once at the tent, provincial police chaplain Reverend Allen Nyoni will take over. Speakers will be AmaXhosa King Mpendulo Sigcawu while Premier Phumulo Masualle will introduce Ramaphosa at 11.40am.

The Methodist Church’s Reverend Mvume Dandala will deliver the sermon around midday.

The Dispatch has learnt that three family members buried in Mbewuleni village will be exhumed and reburied next to MaMbeki on Wednesday. — lulamilef@