Watch LIVE: Xhosa King Zwelonke Sigcawu funeral [video]
AmaXhosa King Zwelonke Mpendulo Sigcawu will be laid to rest on Friday, following his passing earlier in the month.
The Xhosa monarch succumbed to a long illness on Thursday, 14 November at the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha.
His funeral service takes place at Nqandu Great Place in Willowvale in the Eastern Cape.
Special official funeral for Xhosa king
King Zwelonke was granted a special official funeral, which was attended by a number of dignitaries.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, who declared that the king be granted a “category 1” funeral, also addressed the mourners.
“The king’s funeral will feature military ceremonial elements in accordance with the Category 1 status of this occasion,” the presidency said in a statement issued out earlier in the week. “The National Flag will fly at half-mast throughout the country from Monday, November 25 2019 until the evening of Friday, November 29 2019.”
Cyril Ramaphosa
In his address, Ramaphosa thanked the Eastern Cape provincial government for requesting that King Zwelonke be afforded an official funeral.
“The news of His Majesty’s untimely shock to all of us, and we feel its heavy weight on our shoulders,” Ramaphosa said.
Cyril Ramaphosa
Among the speakers set to take the podium is former South Africa state president Thabo Mbeki, Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane, the Ndebele kingdom’s king Makhosonke Mabena, Lesotho kingdom’s Morena Seeiso Masupha, all six Eastern Cape traditional leaders, Western Thembu leader Ngangomhlaba Matanzima, Nkosi Phathekile Holomisa and AmaRharhabe Queen Noloyiso Sandile.
Also present at the monarch’s funeral are various politicians, such as Economic Freedom Freedom Fighters leader, Julius Malema and his right-hand men, Mbuyiseni Ndlozi and Advocate Dali Mpofu, as well as defence minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula,ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe and United Democratic Movement leader General Bantu Holomisa.
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