Ramaphosa declares official state funeral for late deputy minister Hlengiwe Mkhize

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared an official state funeral for late Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Hlengiwe Mkhize.

Mkhize, 69, passed away last Thursday after a short illness. She will be honoured with an official funeral category 2 at her home in Johannesburg on Saturday.

According to the Presidency, a state funeral category 2 is reserved for the deputy president of the country, acting president and former deputy presidents, as well as serving deputy ministers.

“The national flag will be flown at half mast at every flag station in the country from tomorrow morning, 21 September 2021, until the evening of the day of the funeral on 25 September 2021,” the Presidency said in a statement.

Before her appointment to the Presidency, Mkhize served as South Africa’s ambassador to the Netherlands, deputy minister of correctional services, minister of home affairs, minister of higher education and training, among the numerous roles she held in government.

Compiled by Thapelo Lekabe