Cape Town – The KwaZulu-Natal government has announced that legendary playwright Mbongeni Ngema will receive a special provincial official funeral category two to honour his fight against apartheid.
President Cyril Ramaphosa approved the request for the official funeral, reports said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has granted acclaimed playwright and musician Mbongeni Ngema a special provincial funeral, which is to be held in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday.#MorningLive #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/Mc1BOivpRi
— SABCNews_MorningLive (@MorningLiveSABC) January 2, 2024
This funeral category incorporates aspects of police ceremonial honours and is exclusively reserved for eminent individuals specially identified by the president, based on a request from a province’s premier.
Ngema, who died in a car crash at the age of 68, had been critical of the African National Congress (ANC) in a video circulated after his death, claiming the ANC had lost its identity.
“The very ANC that was a torch bearer for the liberation struggle… today they have turned against their people,” Ngema said.
Mbongeni Ngema’s views about the ANC were not far-fetched.
Now that he is no more watch them put the facade. See them for who they are. Mbongeni Ngema was correct. pic.twitter.com/H1gC2mwzvA
— Engineer Matšhela Koko, MBL (@koko_matshela) December 28, 2023
Despite the criticism, the ANC acknowledged Ngema’s contribution to the anti-apartheid struggle and supported the decision to grant him a special funeral, the report said.
The date for Ngema’s funeral is yet to be announced.
According to Times Live, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, said that Ngema stood out as a legendary figure in South Africa.
She said that his contributions to the fight for freedom were marked by his use of creative arts and theatre, playing a significant role in shaping the liberties the country currently experiences.
“We requested the president to declare Dr Ngema’s send-off a special provincial official funeral primarily to recognise his contribution to our long and painful journey for freedom,” said Dube-Ncube.
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Picture: X/@CyrilRamaphosa
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
