Johannesburg - The family of leading South African advocate for people living with HIV and Aids and respected gender activist, Prudence Nobantu Mabele, has released the details of her memorial service and funeral, saying that she will be laid to rest next week Wednesday.
Mabele, who was the president for the Society for Women and Aids in Africa, succumbed to pneumonia at the age of 46 in a Rosebank hospital in Johannesburg.
She broke ground in 1992 in South Africa by publicly revealing her HIV-positive status.
"The Mabele family would like to thank all who have reached out with messages of condolences and support since the news of Prudence’s passing. They would also like to take this opportunity to announce the details of the Johannesburg memorial service and funeral of their beloved daughter, HIV and gender activist Prudence Nobantu Mabele," the family said in a statement.
The family said Mabele's memorial service would be held at the University of the Witwatersrand's Great Hall in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, on Sunday noon. Mabele's funeral would be held at Rhema Bible Church in Randburg on Wednesday morning.
Mabele was an activist who helped millions access HIV treatment, campaigned in the struggle for justice for people living with HIV, and spoke out against violence against women.
Tributes have continued to pour in since Mabele's death, with organisations such as the Aids Healthcare Foundation and grassroots American non-governmental organisation, Thousand Currents, hailing her as a “true South African hero”.