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President Jacob Zuma is to send the Minister of Public Service and Administration, Ms Lindiwe Sisulu, to Zambia as his special envoy to attend the funeral of former Zambian First Lady, Mrs Betty Kaunda, wife of former President Kenneth Kaunda.

Minister Sisulu will be accompanied by the Speaker of the Gauteng Legislature, Ms Lindiwe Maseko. The funeral service is scheduled to take place on Friday the 28th of September.

Former President Kaunda played a crucial role in the South African struggle for liberation. The headquarters of the African National Congress were in Zambia for about 30 years, during which period the Kaunda administration provided material and political support to the organisation and those in exile.

“We are truly saddened by the loss of Mrs Kaunda and once again extend our deepest condolences to former President Kaunda, the whole family and the Zambian people’’, said President Zuma.