Ramaphosa declares special funeral for amaNdebele King

Ramaphosa declares special funeral for amaNdebele King President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a Category 1 Special Official Funeral for the amaNdebele King Makhosoke II, Enock Makhosoke Mabhena. The monarch passed away on Tuesday at the age of 65, concluding a historic 40-year reign on the throne. The traditional leader of the amaNdebele akwaManala will be laid to rest on Sunday, with the funeral service taking place at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium in KwaMhlanga, in Mpumalanga. As part of the Category 1 status, the South African National Defence Force will provide full military honours during the ceremony. Additionally, Ramaphosa has directed that the National Flag be flown at half-mast across the country from Saturday morning until Sunday evening. Ramaphosa extended his deepest condolences to the Royal Household, Queen Sekhothali, the amaNdebele people, and the Basotho nation, from whom the Queen is descended. Government and traditional leaders are expected to gather alongside thousands of mourners to pay their final respects to the long-serving leader.