President Cyril Ramaphosa has accorded the late struggle veteran and icon, Dr Tshenuwani Farisani, the honour of a Special Provincial Official Funeral Category 2.
As a mark of respect, the President has directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast in Limpopo Province on the day of his funeral.
The 76-year-old liberation stalwart, theologian, former Member of Parliament and a profound voice of conscience in the liberation struggle, died in the early hours of Thursday, 29 May. Farisani had been hospitalised for several weeks with an unspecified illness before his death.
Family spokesperson and close confidant of Farisani Judge Tshifhiwa Maumela confirmed that Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba had relayed the news to the family on Tuesday morning.
"Yes, as a family we can now confirm Farisani has been accorded an official funeral. We have just received an official declaration as we speak. As a family, we accept the honour and feel it is befitting to a man of Farisani's stature. His contributions to the liberation struggle speak volumes," he said.
Maumela further indicated that funeral arrangements are at a very advanced stage. "A government and ANC memorial service in his honour shall be held at the George Phadagi Hall in Thohoyandou on Thursday 5 June, starting at 11:00. Another memorial by the Lutheran Church will be held at the Lutheran Multipurpose Centre at Thohoyandou Block F on Friday 6 June, starting at 12:00. The funeral service will be held at the University of Venda Stadium on Saturday 7 June before his burial at Maungani Beuster outside Thohoyandou," he said.
Among those expected to attend the ceremonies are ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, Lutheran Church Bishop Emeritus Nndanganeni Phaswana, and the Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (ELCSA), Nkosinathi Myaka.
Although not confirmed, it is widely expected that President Ramaphosa will attend on behalf of government and as a mourner.
Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba expressed her appreciation to the President for according the late stalwart a special funeral. "This recognition reflects Dr Farisani's pivotal role in the struggle against apartheid and his dedication to championing democracy in our country," she said.
Dr Tshenuwani Simon Farisani was born at Songozwi, outside Louis Trichardt, in 1948. His family was forcibly moved to Madodonga.
He will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to the fight against apartheid and his lifelong dedication to uplifting historically disadvantaged communities. He was a founding member of the Black Peoples Convention (BPC) and a contemporary of Steve Biko in the formative years of the Black Consciousness Movement.
His fearless activism led to multiple detentions and severe torture under the apartheid regime.
Forced into exile in the United States alongside his wife and children, Dr Farisani continued the struggle on international platforms, advocating for sanctions against apartheid under the banner of the African National Congress (ANC).
Upon his return to South Africa in 1994, he was elected as an ANC Member of Parliament and served with distinction in various roles, including Provincial Treasurer and Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for two portfolios.
In 2009, he retired as Speaker of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature but remained active in public life. He held numerous leadership positions, including Chairperson of the Safer South Africa Foundation, Treasurer of the SACP Regional Executive, and Deputy Secretary of the ANC Veterans League.
His legacy is further honoured through various ANC and SACP branches that bear his name.
In 2022, he established the Tshenuwani Farisani Foundation to uphold the values that guided his life and to continue the struggle for justice, equality and the empowerment of the oppressed.
He is survived by his wife, Mudzunga, his daughters Nzumbululo and Ndamulelo, his son Zwovhonala, and extended family.