By 
BLOEMFONTEIN – President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa has, on the request of the Free State Provincial Government (FSPG), declared the funeral of the late Dr Pule Elias Matjoa as a Category 1 Special Provincial Official Funeral, the Presidency confirmed on Thursday, 7 May 2026.
Dr Matjoa, the last surviving member of Nelson Mandela’s legendary “12 Disciples”, a pioneering dentist, former ANC Deputy Director of Intelligence, and uMkhonto we Sizwe combatant who once guarded Cuba’s coastlines, passed away on 01 May 2026 at the age of 88. In granting this rare honour, the President has recognised a life of extraordinary sacrifice, revolutionary courage, and selfless service to the nation.
A Category 1 Special Provincial Official Funeral is the highest provincial honour in the South African state can bestow upon a citizen who is not a sitting or former Premier, but whose contribution to the liberation struggle and nation-building is deemed exceptional. As outlined in the State, Official and Provincial Official Funeral Policy Manual (July 2016), this category includes prescribed police ceremonial honours which include:
• A Guard of Honour formed by the South African Police Service,
• Ceremonial pallbearers,
• Full police escort for the funeral cortege, and the
• Flying of the National Flag at half-mast at all flag stations across the Free State Province from the day before until the evening of the funeral.
While a full State Funeral is reserved for Presidents and Deputy Presidents, and Official Funerals for sitting Premiers and Ministers, the Special Provincial Official Funeral Category 1 is personally designated by the President for “outstanding persons of extraordinary credentials”, a fitting tribute for a man who trained in Cuba, built dental wings across Lesotho, and became the first black dental surgeon to serve in Free State hospitals.
The FSPG, led by Acting Premier Jabu Mbalula, will oversee all funeral arrangements in close consultation with the Matjoa family. The service will be conducted with full ceremonial elements, including a SAPS guard, national symbols, and official mourners led by provincial and national leadership.
Funeral service and burial details are as follows:
• 07:30 – 08:30: A short private family service at the late Dr Matjoa’s home, 31 Frans Rumpff Street, Heuwelsig, Bloemfontein.
• 08:30: The funeral cortege departs home for Gospel Workers Ministries Church, Heidedal.
• 09:00: Official funeral service resumes at Gospel Workers Ministries Church, Heidedal.
• 11:30: Procession departs for Phahameng Cemetery (Only family and designated officials).
• 12:00 (approx.): Dr Pule Elias Matjoa will be laid to rest with full ceremonial honours. Acting Premier Mbalula has called on all Free State residents to line the procession route and pay their last respects to a true patriot.
“He was not merely a dentist,” said Mbalula. “He was a soldier, an intelligence leader, and a healer of his people. The President’s declaration affirms that a giant has fallen, and the nation must rise to honour him.”
Further logistical updates will be communicated by the Provincial Government Communication Services.
