Desmond Tutu to Receive Category 1 State Funeral Usually Reserved for Presidents on 1 January

• President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that Desmond Tutu will receive a Category 1 State Funeral with religious characteristics
• The late Anglican Archbishop's funeral service will be held at The Cathedral Church of St George the Martyr on Saturday, 1 January
• Tutu's body will lie in state at the cathedral, where he officiated for many years, from Friday, overseen by the Anglican Church

CAPE TOWN - The late Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu will receive a Category 1 State Funeral with religious characteristics, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Monday.

Ramaphosa was one of several key individuals who visited the Tutu family home in Milnerton, Cape Town, to pay his respects. The late religious leader who headed the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in 1995 died on Sunday at the age of 90 with his wife of 66 years, Leah, by his side.

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Cyril Ramaphosa orders period of mourning for Tutu, flag to fly at half-mast: 'He's worth it'

Addressing the media that were gathered outside the home, Ramaphosa said Tutu's life should be celebrated. He added that the Archbishop played a central role in unifying South Africans from all walks of life, SABC News reported.

"The Archbishop led millions of our people in the struggle against apartheid, after which he also led the reconciliation process that followed. He was brave and forthright and we loved him for that as he served as a voice for the voiceless while campaigning for justice," Ramaphosa said.

Government to follow church's lead

Briefly News recently reported that Ramaphosa pronounced that a period of national mourning would be observed, and the national flag flew at half-mast for a prescribed duration.

It has since been confirmed that the late Archbishop of Cape Town's funeral will be held at The Cathedral Church of St George the Martyr on Saturday, 1 January. Tutu's body will lie in state at the cathedral, where he officiated for many years, from Friday, Africanews reported.

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Ramaphosa, calling on the public to take life lessons from the contributions of the Archbishop, explained that the Anglican Church will take charge of the proceedings, with the government following suit.

“We look forward to putting him to rest on 1 January. The government will follow the lead of the church in all this. As a government, we are humbled to have the opportunity to participate in honouring this great man,” the President said.

Ramaphosa orders period of mourning for Desmond Tutu

In related news, Briefly News recently reported that in honour of Tutu, Ramaphosa and the national government has pronounced a national period of mourning in which time the national flag will be flown at half-mast.

Shockwaves were sent across the country on Sunday, one day after Christmas, as the country learnt of its last surviving Nobel Peace Prize laureate's passing. In a statement released by the Presidency, Ramaphosa described Tutu as one of "the nation's finest patriots".

"He was a man of unwavering courage, principled conviction, and who spent his life serving others. He captured the essence of what it means to be human. The knowledge that he was sick for some time does little to lessen the blow," said Ramaphosa.

Source: Briefly News