President Cyril Ramaphosa decided to accord Nxangisa a special provincial official funeral category 1. The funeral service will begin at the Kaizer Sebothelo Arena in Botshabelo at 09:00.

Nxangisa served as Free State MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs from May 2019 until October 2021. He was later appointed MEC for agriculture and rural development, a position he held until 2023. He was elected to the Free State Legislature in 2019.

National flag

The president directed the national flag be flown at half-mast from30 July until the evening of the funeral, said Free State premier spokesperson Mpho Sikisi.

“Nxangisa dedicated many years of his life to public service and made a significant contribution to the development of the Free State through his work in government and the legislature. His passing is a great loss not only to his family and loved ones, but also to the people of the Free State.”

Free State premier spokesperson Mpho Sikisi during the memorial service of the late Thembeni Nxangeni. Photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi

Government leaders, dignitaries, relatives, friends, and community members are expected to attend the funeral. Nxangisa’s body will be collected from 39 Burger Crescent in Uitsig, Bloemfontein, at 13:00 on Saturday. 

Provincial ANC leaders, former party leaders, provincial executive committee members, friends, and former colleagues paid tribute to Nxangisa during a memorial service at the Mangaung City Hall on Thursday.

ANC chief whip in the Free State legislature Oupa Khabane described Nxangisa as a leader whose skills and experience would be difficult to replace.

“It is difficult for us to lose people of his calibre at a time when we really need their services, especially in addressing the challenges facing our people. 

“We believe it will be very difficult to find a person with his skills and calibre to do the things our people need. Because we cannot determine fate, this is unfortunately what we have to bear in life.” Nxangisa’s former colleague Montsheng Tsiu, who served as Free State health MEC from 2018 to 2024, remembered him as a selfless, humble, and respectful leader.

Nxangisa played a key role in supporting the provincial government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic by working alongside other MECs and the premier, said Tsiu. 

She also recalled how Nxangisa sought treatment at a public hospital after falling ill. He asked her to help him find a doctor at a public health facility because he wanted to experience first-hand the conditions under which ordinary people received healthcare.Speaking on behalf of the ANC’s political and organisational programmes in the Free State, provincial coordinator and social development MEC Thembile Nqabeni said Nxangisa remained deeply committed to party work while serving as an MEC.

Free State, provincial coordinator and social development MEC Thembile Nqabeni alongside former MEC William Bulwane. Photo: Kekeletso Mosebetsi

Nqabeni frequently asked Nxangisa to lead ANC programmes across the province. Nxangisa continued to insist on attending and leading some of these programmes even after becoming ill. 

Although this did not sit well with some provincial leaders, Nxangisa’s dedication to the ANC and passion for its work drove him to continue serving despite his health challenges. 

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg

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