In a statement, the Presidency confirmed former apartheid leader FW de Klerk will be honoured with a national flag salute at half-mast, along with a state-funded memorial service.
FW de Klerk: National flag at half-mast and a memorial service
On Tuesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared that the national flag “be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect for the late former Deputy President FW de Klerk.”
Questions on the government’s involvement in the send-off proceedings of the 85-year-old who, on Thursday 11 November 2021, passed away after a lifelong battle with mesothelioma cancer.
Initially, the Presidency had announced that the funeral of the former apartheid president would be handled by the FW de Klerk Foundation. A week later, with plans for National Party (NP) leader’s private, family-only, funeral confirmed and scheduled for Sunday 21 November 2021, Ramaphosa revealed the government’s plans to commemorate his passing.
National flag to be flown at half-mast
The president has directed that the National Flag be flown at half mast from sunset on Wednesday 17 November until Sunday 21 November 2021.
Per DIRCO, the national flag can only be half-masted as a sign of mourning “only on instruction from The Presidency.”
“When the National Flag is half-masted, it should first be hoisted to the top of the flagstaff and then slowly lowered until the centre of the flag is half-way between the truck and the bottom of the flagstaff. Before the flag is lowered at sunset, or at the appointed time, it should first be hoisted to the top of the flagstaff,” DIRCO explains.
State memorial service
The government confirmed plans are in progress to organise a state memorial service for De Klerk. Announcements on dates will be made in due course, the Presidency noted.
“Government has consulted the De Klerk family and the FW de Klerk Foundation as part of preparing for this event in which government leaders, leaders of political parties and representatives of civil society will participate,” the statement concluded.