Legendary jazz artist Ray Phiri will be afforded a special provincial funeral.
Acting Mpumalanga Premier Refilwe Mtsweni has declared a special provincial funeral for the late Ray Phiri.
Ray Phiri lost his battle with lung cancer in the early hours of Wednesday morning at a hospital in Mbombela.
Mtsweni delivered the announcement immediately after she was sworn in by Judge Francis Legodi as the province’s premier on Wednesday afternoon.
Mtsweni is standing in for Premier David Mabuza after he took a “short leave”, according to his spokesman Zibonele Mncwango.
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“It is with a heavy heart that the Mpumalanga provincial government confers our condolences on the untimely passing of Mr Ray Phiri in the early hours of Wednesday after a valiant fight against lung cancer,” Mtsweni said.
“As a final homage to this great son of the Mpumalanga soil, it is imperative that the Mpumalanga provincial government pays homage to this icon.
“To this end, and in honour of the stature that Mr Phiri brought to the Mpumalanga province it gives me great pleasure to announce that Mr Phiri shall be granted a special provincial funeral.” she said.
(edited by MLM)
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