President Jacob Zuma has declared a Special Official Funeral for the late author and poet, Professor William Keorapetse Kgositsile. The Presidency announced on Saturday night that the highly respected and renowned veteran activist and a giant of the liberation struggle who passed away on Wednesday, 03 January will be afforded a funeral for distinguished persons specifically designated by the President. Kgositsile was inaugurated in 2006 as South Africa’s first National Poet Laureate and is a recipient of the National Order of Ikhamanga for his contribution to the field of literature.
The President has once again expressed his deep condolences to the family of Professor Kgositsile. President Zuma has ordered that the National Flag be flown at half-mast at every flag station in the country on Tuesday, 16 January, the day of the funeral.
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the eulogy at the funeral and the Department of Arts and Culture and the family will communicate further details of the Special Official Funeral.
Kgositsile died in Milpark hospital in Johannesburg on Wednesday at the age of 79 after a long illness.
