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Special provincial official funerals are reserved for distinguished persons as decided by the president of the country.

"Reverend Chabaku, pictured, distinguished herself as a leader in society. She was one of the leaders of the historic 20000 women's march against apartheid era laws on the 9th of August 1956," the Presidency announced yesterday.

"This day has come to be celebrated by all South Africans as National Women's Day."

The Presidency also announced that the national flag would fly at half mast in Gauteng on the day of the funeral.

Chabaku, 78, died in her sleep at her Rockville home last Friday. She suffered from diabetes.

Her niece, Lorraine Miya-Chabaku, said Chabaku was found dead in bed by her nephew.

Miya-Chabaku described her aunt as "a pillar of strength who always put other people first".

Her funeral service will be held at Elkah Stadium in Rockville , Soweto, on Saturday. A memorial service will be held at the Regina Mundi Catholic Church in Rockville today.