WATCH: Scenes from Aziz Pahad’s funeral

On Saturday morning, the funeral service for Aziz Pahad – the former deputy minister of foreign affairs and notable anti-apartheid activist – took place at the Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg.

President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered a touching eulogy, capturing the nation’s sentiments about the late statesman, who passed away at the age of 82 on Wednesday.

In his eulogy, Ramaphosa paid tribute to Pahad as a patriot who dedicated his life to the liberation of our country and its people.

His death comes just two months after the death of his brother and former minister in the Presidency, Essop Pahad.

Essop had been in retirement after serving as minister from 1999 to 2008.

Ramaphosa also spoke of Aziz Pahad as someone who played a crucial role in the diplomatic community, mentoring, counseling, and training many of South Africa’s representatives abroad.

The President emphasised that Pahad was not just a hardworking public servant but also a formidable figure in the liberation movement during his time in exile in the 1960s.

Pahad served as deputy minister from the onset of democracy in 1994 until 2008, and as a Member of Parliament for the same period.

Moreover, he was lauded by the President as a prominent voice in the foreign affairs space, an astute diplomat, and a warm and affable colleague to those who worked with him.

Reflecting on Pahad’s life and contributions, Ramaphosa urged the nation to uphold the values of servant leadership that defined Pahad.

READ: Aziz Pahad ‘a mentor to many’: Ramaphosa’s emotional eulogy

All photos used courtesy of Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).