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President Jacob Zuma has declared a Special Provincial Official Funeral for the late struggle veteran and a former Robben Island prisoner, Mr Collen Monde Mkunqwana who passed on last week on 21 February 2017.

Mr Mkunqwana was a descendent of Mr Makhanda Nxele, a warrior who led the attack against the British in Grahamstown, the municipality which is now named after Makana.

“We pay tribute to this distinguished struggle veteran and an organic intellectual with enormous influence and contribution to the education of other political prisoners in Robben Island.

We were all pleasantly surprised that even after his release from prison, Tata Mkunqwana continued with the struggle for emancipation, mobilising the oppressed masses to demand one man one vote in a free South Africa. We wish to extend our deepest condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace,” said President Zuma.

President Zuma has ordered that the National Flag be flown at half-mast at every flag station in the Eastern Cape on the day of the funeral.

The details of the funeral will be communicated by the Eastern Cape Provincial Government.

Issued by the Presidency