A memorial service for former South African diplomat George Nene will be held at the conference centre at the offices of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation in Pretoria on Thursday.
The diplomat, who died on Friday, was chairperson of the South African Association of Former Ambassadors and the first high commissioner to Nigeria.
Nene had worked at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation since 1994 and only retired two years ago.
Convenor of z ANC NEC Subcommittee of International Relations cde @LindiweZulu6 along with Subcommittee members conveyed to z family of Comrade Amb George Nene our appreciation of his life contribution to SA's diplomacy. @DIRCO_ZA @LindiweSisuluSA @AmbassadorJulin @marisagerards pic.twitter.com/ihqUxWeNNl
— Amb Iqbal Jhazbhay (@iqbalau_) April 9, 2018
He was also a member of the uMkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans' Association until his death.
The ANC remembered the stalwart as a liberation hero who kept the South African flag flying high.
READ: ANC 'saddened' by George Nene death
In a statement released by spokesperson Pule Mabe on Saturday evening, the party said it had "learned with sadness" about the passing of Nene, who once served as ambassador to Switzerland.
"[He] did not only occupy the death-defying trenches of the liberation struggle, he was counted among those who held the flag of the country flying high in the process of carving the role of South Africa on the international platforms."
Mabe said his contribution to the fight against apartheid would be treasured as the party continues its work "toward the transformation of the world of governance".
"The role that [he] played in the liberation of our country cannot be measured."
President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent condolences to the Nene family.
Nene will be laid to rest on Friday.
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