President Jacob Zuma has declared a Special Official Funeral for the late Rivonia Treason Trialist and stalwart of the liberation struggle, Ahmed Kathrada, who has died at the age of 87.
The Presidency said Tuesday that an official memorial service will be organized and the details will be announced in due course.
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead the send-off of the much-loved stalwart within government.
"Uncle Kathy" was tried and sentenced to life imprisonment on Robben Island prison along former President Nelson Mandela and Mr Walter Sisulu. He was one of the longest serving political prisoners in the country.
"The African National Congress bestowed its highest honour, Isithwalandwe/Seaparankoe on Mr Kathrada in 1992 for his selfless dedication to the struggle for a free democratic non-racial and non-sexist South Africa," the Presidency said.
Kathrada died in hospital early Tuesday morning after a long illness. He will be buried on Wednesday according to Muslim rites.
The President has instructed that the National Flag fly at half-mast at every station in the country from today, 28 March until the evening of the official memorial service.
