Another struggle hero to be laid to rest this week

Dr Zola Skweyiya will receive a Category 1 Special Official Funeral he will be buried on Saturday, 21 April 2018.

An Official Memorial Service for Former Minister and struggle hero Dr Zola Skweyiya will take place on Wednesday, 18 April 2018.

The venue and time of the memorial will be announced soon.

Dr Skweyiya will receive a Category 1 special official funeral and he will be buried at the CRC Church on the corner of Lynnwood Road and Solomon Mahlangu Drive, Pretoria, on Saturday, 21 April 2018.

Skweyiya died in Pretoria on 11 April 2018 at the age of 75 after a short illness and his passing came shortly after the death of fellow revolutionary Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who was also honoured with a Category 1 Official Funeral which is reserved for a special few.

Speaking on behalf of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on State Funerals, Minister in the Presidency, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, said that it was “profoundly sad” to have lost Skweyiya so soon after the death of Madikizela-Mandela.

“Dr Zola Skweyiya, a courageous fighter who fought for social justice in South Africa, played a pivotal role in strengthening the foundational process and crafting the cornerstone of our democracy, the Constitution,” she said.

Skweyiya served as Minister of Public Service and Administration from 1994 to 1999 under President Nelson Mandela. He then served as Minister of Social Development from 1999 to 2009 during President Thabo Mbeki’s administration.

He spearheaded the implementation of the social protection system, including the introduction of child grants and the formation of the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA).

In 2009 Skweyiya was appointed high commissioner of South Africa to the UK and Ireland where he advanced the interests of South Africa and Africa.

He was passionate about the protection of the elderly and had been active in ANC veterans’ structures.

“Our nation owes a great debt to the many selfless champions such as Skweyiya for their contribution in the struggle for a just and equitable society,” said Dr Dlamini-Zuma.