Free State Legislature on funeral arrangements for former Speaker Ouma Tsopo

05 Jan 2017

Funeral arrangements of the former Speaker of the Free State Legislature Ms Ouma Tsopo

After consultation with the family of the deceased, the Funeral Planning Committee hereby provides an update and confirmation of details of the funeral as follows:

Special Provincial Official Funeral

The Free State Executive Council put in a request to the President of the Republic, His Excellency, J.G Zuma, for approval for a Provincial Special Official Funeral (Category 2) to be afforded to the late former Speaker of the Free State Legislature, Me. Ouma Tsopo, in terms of the provisions of the Amended State, Official and Provincial Funeral Policy Manual.
All Policy Provision of the Provincial Special Official Funeral (Category 2) has thus far been adhered to, with all processes agreed upon with the bereaved family for both the Official Memorial and Funeral Services to be under the theme “Selfless Servant of the People…A Gender Activist.”
The Free State Provincial Government has to this end worked closely with the Free State Legislature as well as the Matjhabeng Local Municipality to deliver a befitting farewell to Me. Ouma Tsopo, who was involved in various roles in the three spheres of Government, which include:

Masilo Town Council (Theunissen).
Being the first Member of the Executive Council responsible for Local Government and Traditional Affairs after the 1994 general elections.
MEC for the portfolios of Social Development, Health, and Education.
Deputy Speaker, and later Speaker.

Provincial Memorial Service – January 4, 2017

The Provincial Memorial Service was held at the Phahamisanang Primary School in the Meloding Township of Virginia, after consultation with the bereaved family, January 4, 2017 at 12 midday.

Amongst those in attendance where the Director-General, Kopung Ralikontsane, Cllr. Thanduxolo Khalipha, Deputy Minister Maggie Sotyu, former Executive Mayor of Mangaung Metro Thabo Manyoni, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Lechesa Tsenoli, Acting Premier Elzabe Rockman, MECs and Mayors.

Final implementation towards Me. Tsopo’s final resting place

The final remains of Me. Ouma Tsopo will move from the funeral parlour to the family home in Virginia, on Friday, January 6, 2017 – a process which will be coordinated by the South Africa Police Services (SAPS), Free State Legislature, and the Free State Provincial Government, through the Department of the Premier.
A befitting escort and ceremony will be arranged, and care will be taken to observe any rites which may be traditional, cultural or religious.

The Funeral

The Provincial Special Official Funeral (Category 2), to be coordinated by MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Mathabo Leeto and Thuso Motaung, will be held at Harmony High School in Virginia from 8am to 12 midday.
SAPS to take control of procession from the family home to the venue of the funeral service, and from venue to the cemetery. The number of people to enter graveside will be controlled by SAPS due to limited space.
Traffic to be controlled for ease of procession, by the Matjhabeng Local Municipality.
All media will be accredited for the funeral.
Media Accreditations to be collected from Pulane Tsupane (071 302 2595) on Saturday morning (January 7, 2017) at the Virginia Municipal Offices (6 Union St, Virginia Central) , next to Checkers at 7am.

Preliminary list of expected people include: