President Cyril Ramaphosa says the passing of the Minister in the Presidency, Jackson Mthembu, has shocked people into stopping the constant bickering that has been dividing the country.
Ramaphosa was delivering the eulogy at Mthembu’s official funeral service, which took place at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in the Ackerville Township of Emalahleni, in Mpumalanga, on Sunday.
Mthembu has been laid to rest at the Pretoria Memorial Park Cemetery. He succumbed to COVID-19 on Thursday.
Delivering the eulogy, President Ramaphosa said he has lost more than a colleague and a comrade in Mthembu.
Ramaphosa says it is unbearable that those who knew and loved Mthembu won’t see him again. He says Mthembu’s death has united South Africans in their sorrow.
“One dare hope, that the sentiment that has been displayed at Jackson Mthembu’s passing. We want what is best for the people of our country, which he championed so well,” the President said.
Below is the President’s eulogy:
Below is Minister Mthembu’s funeral service:
Mthembu’s daughter, Thuli, also paid tribute to her father.
She spoke of the fond memories they will cherish.
Thuli says, amongst other things, they will miss about their father is his sense of humor.
“You taught us so much without saying anything at all, you taught us that hard work and humility are two peas in a pod, like prayer and patience. I am sad that you won’t be teaching all of this to our kids. I will miss you saying ‘ngifuzwe wena’-I look like you, when people say I am beautiful because like you always say you’ve been handsome and beautiful,” she said.
Thuli’s tribute to her father:
