President Jacob Zuma has declared a Special Official Funeral for the Umkhonto we Sizwe struggle stalwart and former Member of Parliament, Mr Hermanus Loots who passed on Monday, 25 January 2016.
Mr Loots, who was famously known as James Stuart, served as a Member of Parliament in the first democratic parliament from 1994 to 1999 following the first democratic elections in 1994. President Zuma has conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr Loots and all members of the governing party, the African National Congress.
President Zuma has ordered that the National Flag at all flag stations in the country be flown at half-mast from yesterday, 1 February 2016 until the day of the funeral, 06 February 2016 to mark respect to Mr Loots.
President Zuma is scheduled to deliver the eulogy at the funeral.
The details of the funeral are as follows:
Date: Saturday, 6 February 2016
Time: 9h00
Venue: St Mungos United Church, Cnr William Nicole and Grosvenor Roads, Bryanston, Johannesburg.
Background
There are three main types of funerals in South Africa’s Funeral Policy. These are the State Funeral, Official Funeral and Provincial Official Funeral.
The State Funeral is divided into two categories:
- State Funeral Category 1 is reserved for the President of the Republic of South Africa, the President-elect of the Republic of South Africa and Former Presidents of the Republic of South Africa.
- State Funeral Category 2 is for the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa; Acting President of the Republic of South Africa and Former/Deputy Presidents of the Republic of South Africa
The Official Funeral is also divided into two categories:
- Official Funeral Category 1 is for Serving Ministers, Speaker of the National Assembly, Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa, Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Premiers of Provinces, distinguished persons specifically designated by the President of the Republic of South Africa.
- Official Funeral Category 2 is for the Spouse of a serving President, the Spouse of a serving Deputy President, Deputy Ministers, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Permanent Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Deputy Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa and The President of the Supreme Court of Appeal
The Provincial Official Funeral is divided into a Provincial Official Funeral Category 1 which is for the Speaker of the Legislature and Members of the Executive Committee. The Provincial Funeral Category 2 is accorded to the Deputy Speaker of the Legislature.
Distinguished persons can be granted a special Provincial Official Funeral Category. The Premier of a province sends a request to the President for consideration if they feel a resident of the province deserves such recognition.
Enquiries:
Bongani Majola
Cell: 082 339 1993
Email: bonganim@presidency.gov.za
