Ramaphosa declares special official funeral for King Makhosoke II
King Makhosoke II died on Tuesday, June 9, at the age of 65 after serving as traditional leader of the amaNdebele akwaManala for 40 years.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a Special Official Funeral Category 1, with military honours, for the late King Makhosoke II of the amaNdebele Nation.
King Makhosoke II, born Enock Makhosoke Mabhena, died on Tuesday, June 9, at the age of 65 after serving as traditional leader of the amaNdebele akwaManala for 40 years.
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The funeral will take place on Sunday, June 14, at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga. The ceremony will include military honours and ceremonial elements provided by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).
In a statement, President Ramaphosa extended his condolences to the Royal Household, Her Majesty Queen Sekhothali, the amaNdebele nation and the Basotho nation, from which the Queen descends.
The President said the nation joins the royal family and the broader amaNdebele community in mourning the passing of the monarch.
Ramaphosa has also directed that the National Flag be flown at half-mast from Saturday, June 13, until the evening of Sunday, June 14, as a mark of respect for the late King.
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King Makhosoke II’s death has been widely mourned, with tributes highlighting his four decades of leadership and service to the amaNdebele Nation.