The president of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, has declared a special official funeral category two for the late former Free State premier, Beatrice Marshoff. This followed a request by the current premier, Mxolisi Dukwana.
Confirming the outcome, Sello Dithebe, spokesperson of the premier, says Dukwana has welcomed the decision.
“This is a befitting burial to this former premier, who was a humble and self-less leader as well as committed to the cause of the people. Premier Dukwana, for his part, is confident that this gentle torchbearer of the noble cause of the emancipation of all South Africans, will continue to be a source of pride, inspiration, unity, cohesion and a great feeling of love among all Free Staters and South Africans; in particular, those among whom she lived in Heidedal, Bloemfontein,” says Dithebe.
The funeral will be held at the Norman Doubell community centre in Heidedal on Sunday (23/04) from 08:00 till 12:00. The provincial government has finalised the logistics for the funeral in consultation with representatives of Marshoff’s family.
She passed on last Saturday (15/04) at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Johannesburg, where she was admitted after experiencing health complications.
Marshoff previously served as member of the executive council (MEC) for Social Development in the Free State before the ANC elected her as premier, serving from 2004 until 2009 during the tenure of former state president, Thabo Mbeki. She was the third woman appointed as premier.
Marshoff was a qualified, professional nurse and returned to this profession upon taking a “break” from politics.
