Former state president Marais Viljoen was a patriot who did everything with passion, his daughter Elna Meijers said on Saturday.
”He was a man of God, always loyal to his country and its people,” she said in Pretoria shortly before the memorial service for Viljoen started.
Meijers said she was happy that her father was being given a state funeral. ”He will be buried with dignity just as he had lived with dignity.”
Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka joined mourners at the Pretoria East Dutch Reformed Church for the service shortly before 9am.
Viljoen — the last non-executive state president of the country between June 1979 and September 1984 — died last Thursday in Muelmed hospital in Pretoria. He was 91.
In the foyer of the church, a picture of Viljoen in his official regalia was on display. There was also a candle bearing the South African coat of arms and a book of condolences.
Viljoen was to be buried at the Heroes’ Acre in Bloemfontein. — Sapa