Hundreds attend funeral service for ANC stalwart Zola Skweyiya
Hundreds of mourners gathered at the Christian Revival Church on Saturday morning for the funeral service of ANC stalwart and struggle veteran Dr Zola Skweyiya.
They were joined by family‚ friends and media who packed out the building in Pretoria East.
Among those present were President Cyril Ramaphosa‚ who had cut short an official trip to the UK to deal with violent protests that broke out in Mahikeng this week‚ and former president Thabo Mbeki.
President Ramaphosa: Lala ngoxolo Mkhonto we Sizwe. Oliver Tambo, sicela ubambe isandla senzalo ka Leta. Libele! Mboyi! Solizembe!
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) April 21, 2018
#ZolaSkweyiyaFuneral pic.twitter.com/S27d7uIxvM
President Ramaphosa: As leaders, let us follow their example by ensuring that every grievance is given attention and every concern addressed. Like #ZolaSkweyiya, we must listen to the people. We must put the people first.
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) April 21, 2018
#ZolaSkweyiyaFuneral
Tributes honouring the former minister of social development came from two of Skweyiya’s children and ANC veterans Pallo Jordan and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma among others.
Jordan who, like Skweyiya‚ is originally from Cape Town and had known him since their teenage years‚ described Skweyiya as a 'modest' and “unassuming” person.
“He was not given to vanity‚ nor did he seek to project himself or impose himself on others‚” Jordan said.
“He was a man with the capacity to do his work quietly and diligently‚ virtually unnoticed. But the quality of his output never failed to impress.”
Mourners break out in song at #ZolaSkweyiyaFuneral pic.twitter.com/MgQSmVIF5r
— SA Gov News (@SAgovnews) April 21, 2018
Skweyiya‚ who held a number of political posts throughout his life including minister of public service and administration and was a consistent member of the ANC’s national executive committee‚ died in a Pretoria hospital on April 11.
He is survived by his wife Thuthukile Skweyiya‚ three sons‚ Vuyo‚ Khethaukuthula and Vukani‚ two daughters‚ Phila and Mandisa‚ and 12 grandchildren.
Mama Thuthukile: Zola, you were the ultimate love of my life, my beloved soulmate. #ZolaSkweyiyaFuneral
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) April 21, 2018
Mama Thuthukile: Zola you were my gentle giant, my soulmate.Thank you for valuing me as not only your wife but your equal #ZolaSkweyiyaFuneral
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) April 21, 2018
He will be laid to rest at the Garsfontein cemetery in Pretoria.
[Watch] Tribute to Dr #ZolaSkweyiya https://t.co/xhaQfvzw8o
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) April 21, 2018