President Jacob Zuma has declared that a special provincial official funeral will be held for former Free State speaker Motlalepula Chabaku, the presidency said on Tuesday.
“The special... funeral is reserved for distinguished persons as decided by the president of the Republic,” it said in a statement.
“The president has further authorised that the national flag fly at half-mast in the Gauteng province on the day of the funeral.”
The presidency said the funeral was declared after a request was made by Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane.
Details on the funeral would be released later.
Chabaku, who was in her late 70s, died on Friday in Rockville, Soweto, from an illness.
Zuma described her as a respected cleric and liberation stalwart, who carried an abiding sense of community and compassion for all people, especially women, the poor and the down-trodden.
“We thank her for dedicating all her life to the liberation of our people and acknowledge the role she played in the nation's reconstruction and development.”
Chabaku was one of the few surviving leaders of the 20 000-strong women's march against apartheid pass laws, at the Union Buildings in 1956.
Others were Lillian Ngoyi and Helen Joseph.
She was also a member of the provincial legislatures of both Gauteng and the Free State, where she was the first speaker of the legislature. - Sapa