Mortal Remains of South Africa's High Commissioner to Uganda to be Repatriated to South Africa

Jakarta - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has directed that former South African High Commissioner to Kenya, Kingsley Makhubela lead a three member family delegation of the late South African High Commissioner to Uganda Bavumile Vilakazi to Kampala on Sunday, 24 April 2005 to finalise arrangements for the repatriation of the mortal remains of the late High Commissioner to South Africa.

The delegation includes Paul, Billy and Mangaliso Vilakazi, the two brothers and eldest son of the High Commissioner respectively. High Commissioner Vilakazi died at the age of 50 in Kampala, Uganda on Thursday, 21 April 2005.

During the visit to Kampala, Uganda, High Commissioner Makhubela and the Vilakazi family delegation will also attend a memorial service in honour of the late High Commissioner Vilakazi scheduled for Tuesday, 26 April 2005.
It is expected that High Commissioner Makhubela and the family delegation will return to South Africa with the mortal remains of High Commissioner Vilakazi on Wednesday, 27 April 2005.

In the meantime, Director-General of Foreign Affairs, Dr Ayanda Ntsaluba has established a funeral committee to co-ordinate memorial and funeral services to be led by Ambassador Kingsley Mamabolo and will include representatives of the family, Ekhuruleni Metropolitan and the African National Congress Gauteng Province.

In this regard, memorial services are planned for Pretoria and Ekhuruleni on Tuesday 26 April 2005 and Thursday, 28 April 2005 respectively. The funeral service is expected to take place on Sunday, 1 May 2005 details of which will be released during the week.

Issued by Nomfanelo Kota on 082 459 3787.
? Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
24 April 2005