By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Thabo Mbeki Foundation has confirmed that its patron was snubbed from speaking at former finance minister Tito Mboweni’s funeral on Saturday last week.
Mboweni died at the age of 65 following a brief illness and was buried on Saturday in Tzaneen, Limpopo, in a Special Official Category 2 Funeral.
According to the foundation, Mboweni’s family approached the former president with a special request.
They asked that he prepare and deliver a tribute at the funeral as per Mboweni’s final wish.
The Thabo Mbeki Foundation said in a statement that Mboweni’s family had approached the former President with a special request that he deliver a tribute at the funeral.
“…not only because President Mbeki was seen by Tito and his family as a leader, mentor and friend, but also because it was Tito’s final wish,” the Foundation said.
The Mboweni family shared a draft funeral programme with Mbeki, which included a list of proposed speakers, with Mbeki’s name, the Foundation stated, however, on receiving the final draft Mbeki’s name was omitted.
“On receipt of the final draft of the Special Official Service programme on the eve of the funeral, it was noted that all the names proposed by the family were included, except for President Mbeki’s. Despite no explanation being provided for this unexpected omission, President Mbeki accepted the changes without raising any questions and acknowledged that he would not be speaking at the service,” the Foundation highlighted.
The Mboweni family apologised to Mbeki for the “obvious omission” of his name from the programme and offered to adjust the programme to include Mbeki’s name.
The former President advised against it, stating that the programme was likely “designed with a reason” and that it should be respected.
The Foundation said Mbeki assured the family that no further stress should be placed on them during a difficult time.
Watch: Thabo Mbeki Tribute to Tito Titus Mboweni below.
Video Courtesy from TMF.
Fullview attempted to solicit the comment from the African National Congress (ANC) national spokesperson Mahlengi Motsiri-Bhengu at the time of publishing the story, she didn’t answer her phone and once her comment is received the story will be updated.