The funeral of Minister of the Presidency Jackson Mphikwa Mthembu is currently underway at the Roman Catholic Church in Ackerville Township, eMalahleni in Mpumalanga and is being livestreamed online.
Mthembu passed away on Thursday, January 21 from COVID-related complications.
The service is attended by President Cyril Ramaphosa who gave a heartfelt speech, comforting those in mourning and sharing memories of his relationship with Mthembu.
“He had the endearing ability to lighten any mood, including mine,” Ramaphosa said. “He was a man of great courage, an honest man. He was a voice of reason, and also of great wisdom,” he added.
Ramaphosa spoke of Mthembu’s kind and considerate nature, and told how Mthembu would call him regularly, just to enquire about the president’s wellbeing.
#RIPJacksonMthembu President @CyrilRamaphosa with Deputy President @DDMabuza and Speaker of Parliament Mme Thandi Modise at the #JacksonMthembuFuneral ? pic.twitter.com/cEFhgFZNuc
— Presidency | South Africa ?? (@PresidencyZA) January 24, 2021
[PHOTOS]: His Excellency President @CyrilRamaphosa at the Official Funeral Service of Minister Jackson Mphikwa Mthembu in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga #RIPJacksonMthembu pic.twitter.com/fKvNdDwwNj
— Presidency | South Africa ?? (@PresidencyZA) January 24, 2021
Mthembu had a long and hard-fought career as a democracy activist. He was the national spokesperson of the ANC under President Nelson Mandela from 1995 – 1997, appointed to the same role again from 2009 – 2014.
He served as the Chief Whip of the ANC in the National Assembly from 2016 up to the end of the fifth term of parliament in 2019. After the 2019 national and general elections, he was appointed as the Minister of the Presidency.
Picture: Screenshot from livestream