Top brass for stalwart’s funeral
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa to speak on behalf of Presidency
HIGH-ranking ANC, government and sports officials including Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, will descend on the province today to pay their last respects at the funeral of the Reverend Makhenkesi Stofile.
Stofile, a former Eastern Cape premier who recently served as South Africa’s ambassador to Germany before resigning late last year, died at his home in Alice last Monday after a long battle with diabetes and pancreatic cancer.
His funeral will take place at Fort Hare University’s Sports Complex in the same town‚ where he was a student‚ then a lecturer and later the university chancellor, until his death.
Stofile’s funeral was declared a special official funeral by President Jacob Zuma last Friday, and the national flag will continue to fly halfmast until midnight tonight.
Even though Presidency spokesman Dr Bongani Ngqulunga had announced last Thursday that Zuma would present a eulogy at Stofile’s funeral, the office on Tuesday announced Ramaphosa would instead speak on behalf of the Presidency.
Zuma is instead travelling to Nairobi, Kenya, to participate in the sixth summit of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development.
Ngqulunga said the summit would focus on advancing Africa’s development agenda by bringing together heads of state, leading industrialists, top business executives and heads of business associations from Africa and Japan “to promote high-level policy dialogue between these leaders and to mobilise support for Africanowned development initiatives”.
Other dignitaries expected to attend Stofile’s funeral are former Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, who will be paying tribute on behalf of the United Democratic Front, while former director-general of Foreign Affairs Sipho Pityana, will pay tribute as a family friend.
Stofile served as the UDF’s general secretary of the Border region.
Former President Kgalema Motlanthe will pay tribute as Stofile’s friend, while Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula will pay tribute on behalf of the sporting fraternity.
The South African National Defence Force’s chaplain General Monwabisi Andrew Jamangile will lead the ceremonial guard of honour for the former Umkhonto WeSizwe soldier, while West Pondoland regent Queen Lombekiso MaSobhuza-Sigcau will deliver a vote of thanks.
Provincial government spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said yesterday: “It’s all systems go for teams from both the province and national government as they are busy preparing to honour this struggle stalwart and former premier our province.” — dispatch.co.za