The Presidency has officially approved a Category 2 Special Provincial Official Funeral for the late Morwagae Jacob Mogapi, a distinguished military veteran and liberation struggle icon.
The announcement follows an application by the North West Provincial Government to honour Mogapi, who hailed from Lobatla village in the Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipality, Lehurutshe.
The funeral service will take place at his home village of Lobatla on Saturday.
“Mogapi was a selfless, principled and humble servant of the people who played a significant role in the liberation struggle. He was actively involved in the historic 1957–1958 Women’s Anti-Pass Campaign in Lehurutshe, which mobilised communities across the region to resist unjust apartheid legislation. He later went into exile in Botswana,” read a statement from the office of Premier Lazarus Mokgosi.
Mokgosi described Mogapi’s life as one marked by unwavering dedication to the struggle for freedom.
“Mogapi’s life was characterised by unwavering commitment, sacrifice, courage and selfless service to the cause of freedom,” Mokgosi said, adding that the late veteran deserved the honour in recognition of his contribution to the liberation struggle.
Mogapi was also praised for his significant contribution to the country’s liberation.
“Among his notable contributions to the liberation struggle were recruiting young activists from Lehurutshe and surrounding areas into the liberation movement and supporting underground networks that facilitated the safe passage of cadres into exile.
“He also served as a member of Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), including the renowned Luthuli Detachment.
“Mogapi played an important role in assisting and receiving young South Africans who fled the country following the 1976 student uprisings,” the statement added.
A Category 2 Special Provincial Official Funeral includes elements of military ceremonial honours. Such funerals are reserved for distinguished South African citizens and are declared by the President of the Republic of South Africa following a formal request from a provincial premier.
