A memorial service for ANC stalwart Zola Skweyiya will be held in the east of Pretoria on Wednesday.
The former cabinet minister, diplomat and founder of the SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) would have a state funeral, the government said on Monday.
A sad farewell to Dr. Zola Skweyiya. He was a truly humble, dedicated and passionate public servant. He also made an indelible contribution to the advancement of constitutional and social justice in South Africa. Rest in peace, gentle soul. #ZolaSkweyiya pic.twitter.com/vJ3GrbZnrU
— Ben Roberts (@sasas_rsa) April 15, 2018
This was announced by the Minister in the Presidency for Planning Monitoring and Evaluation, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.
She said in a statement the government would arrange the memorial and funeral service for Skweyiya.
He died on 11 April in a Pretoria hospital aged 75 – three days shy of his 76th birthday.
…and always great to be back home, even for a short while, especially this year after many depressing years😬😃, even with the passing of our struggle hero cdes #WinnieMadikizelaMandela #ZolaSkweyiya it’s still great as their hard work has not gone in vain🇿🇦
— Mthunzi Mdwaba (@Tzoro1) April 15, 2018
“It is profoundly sad that within a short space of time of losing mama Winnie, the country has lost another outstanding revolutionary,” said Dlamini-Zuma.
Still in shock about the news of the passing of Comrade Zola Skweyiya… he served with distinction and ran a great race … Lala Ngoxolo Leta … U remain an inspiration to millions in our country and world
— Dr Dlamini Zuma (@DlaminiZuma) April 12, 2018
She described Skweyiya as a courageous fighter who fought for social justice.
Skweyiya created and implemented Sassa that was launched on 1 April 2006.
Zola Skweyiya, principled engineer of mass welfare and bill of rights https://t.co/b4y6JWhMN0 via @SundayTimesZA
— Equal Education (@equal_education) April 15, 2018
“He played a pivotal role, in strengthening the foundational process and crafting the cornerstone of our democracy, the Constitution.”
Skweyiya was public service and administration minister between 1994 and 1999, social development minister between 1999 and 2009 and SA high commissioner to the UK from 2009 and 2014, when he retired due to ill-health.
At this rate the Airport in George will be named after former Ambassador Dr. Zola Skweyiya. Just saying🤔
— LIFE! (@KhanyoNV) April 14, 2018
President Cyril Ramaphosa had declared a special official funeral, Category 1 for Skweyiya on 21 April at CRC Church, on the corner of Lynnwood Road and Solomon Mahlangu Drive, east of Pretoria
What's happening to Zola Skweyiya & George Nene is exactly what happened to OR Tambo in 1993. His death followed that of Chris Hani closely & such his funeral was very low profile. High octane morale was missing in Tambo's funeral.
— Richardson Mzaidume (@hlubizer) April 15, 2018
“The venue and time of the memorial service on 18 April will be announced shortly,” said government spokesperson Phumla Williams.
Skweyiya is survived by his wife Thuthukile and children.
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