Tribute to Rev. Dr Simon Gqubule - He was awarded Order of Luthuli: Silver

****REMEMBERING REV SIMON GQUBULE WHO WE HAD IN THE SPOTLIGHT ON THE 18TH MAY 2016 WHO SADLY PASSED AWAY ON THE 26TH MAY 2016The Reverend Doctor Simon Gqubule is being honoured with the Order of Luthuli: Silver for his excellent contribution in the liberation struggle and in the fields of education and religion. The Order of Luthuli is a South African honour. It was instituted on 30 November 2003, and is granted by the president of South Africa, for contributions to South Africa in the following fields: (i) the struggle for democracy, (ii) building democracy and human rights, (iii) nation-building, (iv) justice and peace, and (v) conflict resolution. It has three classes:• Gold (OLG), for exceptional contributions,• Silver (OLS), for excellent contributions,• Bronze (OLB), for outstanding contributions. The Reverend Doctor Simon Gqubule is a well-respected and influential figure in his community, church and academic circles and at the age of 87 still plays a significant role in education. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate and the Distinguished Old Rhodian Award for his dedication and contribution to teaching and learning. Rev. Dr Gqubule was the first black student to receive a doctorate degree from Rhodes University in 1978 and his commitment to educating previously disadvantaged scholars has won him numerous awards. Rev. Dr Gqubule knows the challenges financially disadvantaged students face; his father earned two pounds and five shillings a month and this was not enough to put him through university and also support their family. It was through his Chaplain arranging a bursary for him that he went to teaching college and Rev. Dr. Gqubule has committed his life to being the ‘chaplain’ for many other students, thus improving many lives.PRESIDENT ZUMA DECLARES A SPECIAL PROVINCIAL OFFICIAL FUNERAL FOR COMMUNITY LEADER REVEREND GQUBULE.President Jacob Zuma has declared a Special Provincial Official Funeral for the late educationist, human rights campaigner, community leader and one of the country's leading academic and religious leaders, the Reverend Dr Simon Gqubule.This category of a funeral is designated by the President of the Republic of South Africa for distinguished persons. Dr Gqubule was awarded the Order of Luthuli in Silver on 28 April 2016 by the President, in recognition of his excellent contribution to the liberation struggle and to the field of education and religion.The President has instructed that the National Flag be flown at half-mast in the Eastern Cape Province on Thursday 02 June 2016, the day of his funeral.President Zuma has once again extended his deepest condolences to the Gqubule family, relatives and friends on this sad loss.Guest: Proffessor Tinyiko Maluleke – Political Analyst with the University of Pretoria Guest: Rev. Dr Vukile Mehana - Ordained Minister (Priest) of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa. Guest: Rev. Andile Mbete – Bishop of the Grahamstown District