By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a Special Provincial Official Funeral Category Two for the late traditional music icon, singer and songwriter Dr Latozi Madosini Mpahleni.
Madosini, as she was fondly known, passed away on Friday at the age of 79 after a long illness that started when she collapsed while on tour in France.
She will be laid to rest at her homestead of Mkhankatho village in Libode on January 7 next year.
The president has further declared that the National Flag flies at half-mast at every flag station in the Eastern Cape on the day of the funeral as a sign of respect to her.
The 79-year-old Madosini was well known for her love for music and artistry, which saw her exciting audiences across the world with traditional Xhosa instruments, including uhadi and umrhubhe musical bows as well as isitolotolo (harp) being her indigenous musical instruments of choice.
Madosini was honoured with an honorary degree by Rhodes University and the University of Cape Town (UCT).
She was regarded as a national treasure for taking traditional music beyond our borders through the use of instruments uhadi, isitolotolo and umrhubhe.
Madosini was also one of the legends recognised by the department of arts & culture as part of the third Van Toeka Af Living Legends Recognition Series Event which took place in Libode, Eastern Cape, in September.