President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a Special Official Funeral Category 2 in honour of Joseph Shabalala, the late founder of the world-renowned choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Shabalala passed way at the age of 78 on 11 February following a long illness.
According to the official presidential website, the Special Official Funeral Category 2 entails ceremonial elements provided by the South African Police Service. The funeral will take place on Saturday, 22 February.
President Ramaphosa has ordered that the National Flag be flown at half-mast at every flag station in the country until the evening of 22 February in Shabalala’s honour.
In 2008, the group received the National Order of Ikhamanga for putting South Africa’s cultural heritage in the form of indigenous music on the world map.
