Joe Mafela memorial service to be held on Thursday

According to the family spokesperson, Millicent Molelo, the memorial will start at 10am.

"We will be celebrating our late uncle tomorrow and the service is open to the public," she says.

Molela says they are expecting government dignitaries, veterans within the entertainment industry as well as members of the public to attend the memorial service.

"We are expecting a lot of people who really want to share the moment with us. He wasn't just our father but a very important person in South Africa and a lot of people have expressed interest in sharing this day with us.

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She adds that the investigation into Mafela's death is still ongoing and that the details of his funeral will be shared during the memorial service on Thursday.

Mafela died after being involved in a car accident last Saturday. Authorities believe he might have died from a medical condition, rather than from any injuries sustained in the accident. 

Political parties, celebrities and ordinary South Africans all paid tribute to Mafela when news of his passing broke.

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One of those public figures is Somizi Mhlongo, who says he had the pleasure of interacting with the late actor.

"I'm not sad because, for me, he has created that happy picture, he lived his life to the fullest. He is a slayer. If I can achieve half of what he has achieved I'd be grateful, he was relevant until the end," Somizi posted on social media.

Mafela's family has thanked South Africans for all their messages of condolences and support.