Share

Ramaphosa declares special provincial funeral for Xolani Gwala

Veteran radio personality Xolani Gwala will receive a special provincial official category two funeral, the Presidency said on Friday.

Gwala will be laid to rest at Impendle in KwaZulu-Natal on Saturday. 

The 44-year-old died in the early hours of last Friday morning, following a lengthy battle with colon cancer, Channel24 reported.

President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the official funeral and instructed that the national flag be flown at half-mast in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday evening.

READ:The world is indeed a lesser place without him - Sanef mourns veteran journalist Xolani Gwala

"We have lost a youthful veteran in an important sector in our country. As a professional who qualified in the mid-1990s, Xolani Gwala carried with him the values of our transition to democracy – the values of listening and being open to views that conflict with or offend your own, and a focus on solution," Ramaphosa said.

The Presidency announced that Gwala's special provincial funeral would also involve ceremonial elements by the South African Police Service.

The Radio 702 talk show host was remembered in multiple memorial services this week that were attended by veteran journalists, peers, politicians and listeners of the radio station. 

Among those who spoke of Gwala's humility and calm nature was Communications Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi, Gwala’s close friend and fellow broadcaster Robert Marawa, and his close confidante advocate Muzi Sikhakhane. 

ALSO READ:'This was not part of the dream' - humble Gwala honoured by friends and colleagues

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you think corruption-accused National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will survive a motion of no confidence against her?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, her days are numbered
41% - 478 votes
Yes, the ANC caucus will protect her
59% - 685 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.91
+0.1%
Rand - Pound
23.87
+0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.38
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.31
+0.2%
Rand - Yen
0.13
+0.1%
Platinum
908.05
+1.2%
Palladium
1,014.94
0.0%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE