This was confirmed by the office of the President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa on Thursday, that said it has declared a special ‘category 1’ funeral for late AmaXhosa King Zwelonke Mpendulo Sigcawu.
“The king’s funeral will feature military ceremonial elements in accordance with the Category 1 status of this occasion,” the presidency said in a statement.
“The National Flag will fly at half-mast throughout the country from Monday, November 25 2019 until the evening of Friday, November 29 2019,” the presidency said.
Ramaphosa is expected to deliver a eulogy on Friday, November 29, the day Sigcawu will be laid to rest.
King Sigcawu who was loved by all and championed education died last week after a lengthy illness.
He was a descendant of King Hintsa, who was known for his bravery and was killed by British soldiers in 1835.
Sigcawu became king in 2006. He was the first king in SA to be crowned, in 2015, after the democratic recognition of traditional leadership.
The King was vocal about the arrest of his friend, AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, who is serving a 12-year jail term at the East London maximum prison for arson, kidnapping, assault with the intention to do grievous bodily harm, and defeating the ends of justice.
He was 51.
Sigcawu will be buried on Friday 29 at his home village Nqadu Great Palace, in the Eastern Cape.
Nkosi Dumehleli Mapasa, has since been named as his temporary replacement.
Lala Ngoxolo cawe la macawe!
Image (AmaXhosa King Zwelonke Cedrick Mpendulo Sigcawu (during his coronation) will be laid to his final resting place on Friday November 29 at Nqadu Great Palace, EC).
