National flags flown at half-mast to mark death of former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs

By Mandisi Tyulu
04 June 2009

South African national flags are to be flown at half-mast from today to mark the death of former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs, Advocate Dirk Cornelius du Toit.

Advocate du Toit, who was 65-years-old, passed away on Monday after an apparent heart attack. He served as deputy minister from 1999 to 2009.

President Jacob Zuma has given an instruction that the National Flags fly at half-mast at every flag station in the country from Thursday until the evening of the funeral to mourn the passing away of Advocate du Toit.

Delivering his State of the Nation Address on Wednesday, Mr Zuma expressed condolences to Advocate du Toit’s family. He said the former deputy minister’s contribution would be sorely missed.

The President described him as a gallant person who made an exceptional contribution to nation building and social cohesion and was a pioneer of the agriculture and land affairs legislative programmes.

He also was involved in drafting the Constitution. A memorial service is expected to be held in the Parliament’s Old Assembly Chamber in Cape Town later on Thursday.

The Minister of Arts and Culture, Lulu Xingwana, and the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Tina Joemat-Pettersson are expected to attend. The funeral service will be held on Friday at 2pm at the Groote Kerk in Parliament Street