The committed freedom fighter, who was in exile for five years since 1981, passed away on November the 1st after a long illness. The stalwart has served in a number of leadership positions in the ANC and his state funeral is underway at the Dr Rantlai Petrus Molemela Stadium in Mangaung. President Cyril Ramaphosa has during his visit to the city earlier this week, ordered that the National Flag be flown at half-mast at every flag station in the Free State on the day of the funeral. Sefotlhelo is said to have been a principled man who served with integrity in various positions and upheld the Batho Pele principle. He was appointed the first provincial coordinator of the South African Council of Churches (SACC) in the Orange Free State upon his release from prison in 1986.

ANC members, leaders from all spheres of the country and members of the public on Tuesday during the Free State Local Government Lekgotla paid a moment of silence before proceedings of the day in remembrance of the role Sefotlhelo played in the liberation of the country.

Acting Director-General, Thuso Ramaema, spoke highly of Sefotlhelo and said he was one the country’s heroes who fought for freedom and equality.

Under the command of the late Chris Hani, Sefotlhelo was tasked to establish the first African National Congress underground area political committee in the then Orange Free State. He was arrested in 1981 and sentenced to five years on Robben Island prison for underground uMkhonto weSizwe activities.

Sefotlhelo was also a founding member and served as a National Executive Committee (NEC) member of the South African Youth Congress (SAYCO), which later became the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL).

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