20091222
allafrica

Johannesburg — FORMER health minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang 's funeral service will be held in Pretoria today.

President Jacob Zuma is expected to address mourners at the Catholic Cathedral of the Sacred Heart before Tshabalala-Msimang's body is cremated at a private ceremony.

Tshabalala-Msimang died last week of complications related to her liver transplant two years ago.

Her nine years as health minister were dogged by controversy . She was replaced soon after interim president Kgalema Motlanthe 's appointment last year. Under president Thabo Mbeki , repeated calls for her removal fell on deaf ears.

Memorial services were held in Durban and Pretoria yesterday. In Durban, African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said she should be given respect for absorbing all the negative publicity on behalf of the ruling party . She was following ANC policies .

"Negative publicity tends to dwarf the positive work. It's important that we pay respect to Manto for absorbing the pain on behalf of the ANC," said Mantashe. Tshabalala- Msimang did not sulk or quit the ANC when she was left out of the Cabinet after the April elections.

Daughter Pulani Kingston read an account of her life and achievements. KwaZulu-Natal Premier Zweli Mkhize praised her implementation of anti-smoking laws.

"Manto showed deep commitments," said Mkhize. "She received more criticism than credit."

Her work with traditional healers and the importance of nutrition would continue, he said.