jackson mthembu memorial service

Jackson Mthembu ANC Minister in the Presidency, Jackson Mthembu briefs media on outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on 21 August 2019. Photos: GCIS

Jackson Mthembu memorial service postponed to 25 January

The memorial service was originally planned Saturday but was postponed in accordance with the family’s wishes.

jackson mthembu memorial service

Jackson Mthembu ANC Minister in the Presidency, Jackson Mthembu briefs media on outcomes of the Cabinet meeting held on 21 August 2019. Photos: GCIS

The Presidency confirmed that the late minister Jackson Mphikwa Mthembu’s memorial service was postponed to Monday, 25 January 2021. Deputy President David Mabuza will deliver a keynote tribute.

The memorial event was originally planned Saturday 23 January and was again postponed to Sunday, following consultation between The Presidency minister and in accordance with his family’s wishes:

“The memorial event for late Minister Jackson Mthembu, originally planned for [Saturday], has been postponed to Monday 25 January after consultation between the Presidency and late Minister’s family”.

Jackson Mthembu’s funeral – 24 January

The Presidency confirmed that the official Funeral Category 1 will proceed as planned at 9:00 on Sunday, 24 January in the Minister’s home town of Emalahleni, Mpumalanga.

The eulogy will be delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa. In addition, both the funeral and the memorial service “will take place in compliance with the applicable Disaster Management Act regulations”.

Furthermore, the national flag “will be flown at half-mast at every flag station in the country from Saturday 23 January 2021, until the evening of the day of the funeral on 24 January 2021″. Minister Senzo Mchunu said on Saturday:

“The untimely passing of the Minister in the Presidency, Mr Jackson Mthembu, has not only robbed his family of a husband, father, brother and uncle, but it has also robbed Government and the nation of a great leader”.

Also read: Jackson Mthembu’s doctor killed in Netcare helicopter crash

RIP Jackson Mthembu

Minister Jackson Mthembu, who contributed to the development of South Africa’s democratic constitution and served as an MEC in Mpumalanga, passed away on Thursday, 21 January 2021.

jackson mthembu memorial service
Image via Twitter: @GovernmentZA. Caption: “The drive-by visit to the residence of the late Minister Jackson Mthembu”

He had been diagnosed with COVID-19 ten days prior. At the time, Minister Mthembu said he had “visited the Military hospital in Tshwane to get medical attention for an abdominal pain”.

“After undergoing some tests, I tested positive for COVID-19. Plans are afoot to get all my family members and close associates tested as well”.

In a separate tweet, he thanked the many South Africans who have wished [him] a speedy recovery,” and concluded: “As a people, we must overcome COVID-19”.

His last tweet on the platform before his passing was powerful and profound. On 12 January, Mthembu responded to an unkind tweet, in which the sender said: “The same people who tell us to wash our hands and wear masks every day are contracting covid”.

The minister simply responded: “They are human too”.

Lala Ngoxolo, Sir.