Pretoria – South Africa goes into a national period of mourning today with flags flying at half mast following the death of former Education and Water Affairs Minister Kader Asmal, who has been granted an official funeral.<\/p>\n
“President Jacob Zuma has decided to grant the late former Minister of Education and Water Affairs, Professor Kader Asmal an Official Funeral Category 1,” said the Presidency.<\/p>\n
This kind of funeral is reserved for distinguished persons specifically designated by the President of the Republic of South Africa.<\/p>\n
“The President has also declared a period of National Days of Mourning as of Friday, [24 June 2011] until the evening of cremation,” explained the Presidency in a statement.<\/p>\n
National flags will fly at half-mast at all flag stations countrywide and in all South African foreign missions abroad as of today until the evening of cremation.<\/p>\n
Family spokesperson Allan Taylor said Asmal, 76, who passed away at the Constantia Medi Clinic in Cape Town on Wednesday following a heart attack will be cremated at a private ceremony in Cape Town over the weekend.<\/p>\n
In his lifetime Asmal defended human rights and has been credited for his immeasurable contribution to South Africa’s liberation.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Planning Commission Minister Trevor Manuel described Asmal as a lifelong scholar who sought knowledge and as a person who lived for politics.<\/p>\n
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, Manuel said Asmal treasured the Constitution. “In one of the very last photographs published of him just last week, he has a dog-eared copy of the Constitution in his hand. He knew and loved the Constitution because of his intimate involvement in its genesis and negotiations.”<\/p>\n
President Zuma said Asmal would be remembered for his energy, forthrightness, efficiency and commitment. – BuaNews<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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