High-ranking African National Congress‚ government and sports officials have started arriving in the Eastern Cape to pay their last respects at the funeral of the Reverend Makhenkesi Stofile on Thursday.

The Daily Dispatch (www.dispatchlive.co.za) reported that his funeral will take place at Fort Hare University’s Sports Complex in the same town‚ where he was a student‚ then a lecturer and later the university chancellor.

Stofile was a former Eastern Cape premier. He also served as South Africa’s ambassador to Germany.

He died at his home in Alice last Monday after a long battle with diabetes and pancreatic cancer.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the eulogy at the funeral.

Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe told SABC news: “It’s a very sad day for South Africa‚ especially the family of Bra Stof and all those who loved and admired him‚ because of the critical role that he played for the freedom struggle and our country.

“Many people are not aware that he was such a peace-loving man.” – TMG Digital