'State honours' funeral for Ladysmith Black Mambazo star

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a "special official funeral category two" for musician Joseph Shabalala who died earlier this month at the age of 78.

It means the national flag will be flown at half-mast until the ceremony on 22 February, and South African police will provide ceremonial pomp on the day.

The special official funeral category two is usually accorded to spouses of serving presidents and deputy presidents, deputy ministers, deputy speakers of the national assembly, permanent deputy chairpersons of the national council of provinces, deputy chief justices and presidents of the supreme court of appeal.

President Ramaphosa in January declared an official funeral category two for business leader Dr Richard Maponya.

Shabalala rose to fame as the founder and director of choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, which won five Grammy awards.

The presidency in South Africa tweeted a statement on the funeral:

President @CyrilRamaphosa has declared a Special Official Funeral Category 2 in honour of Mr Joseph Shabalala, the late founder of choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

Mr Shabalala, aged 78, passed away on 11 February 2020 following extended illness. https://t.co/jJ5SNO2X45

— PresidencyZA (@PresidencyZA) February 16, 2020