TURFLOOP – Pres Thabo Mbeki, national cabinet members and other prominent political figures, including former President Nelson Mandela and ANC national executive members, joined thousands of mourners at Saturday's rally at the University of the North, to honour the late Peter Mokaba.

Youth organisations in the province generally adhered to a request by the provincial cabinet that youth day celebrations be conducted respectfully, in view of the funeral.

A solemn vigil, in remembrance of the former ANC Youth Leader and national cabinet member, was held at the University of the North on Friday night.

On Saturday the funeral procession started at the Mokaba residence in Mankweng, before moving to the Oscar Mapetha Stadium on the campus, where Mbeki, Mandela and others delivered moving speeches of tribute.

However, there has been considerable negative reaction to the mass chanting of the slogan "Kill the farmer, Kill the Boer," which were Mokaba trademarks in the early 1990s.

Both the Democratic Alliance and the Freedom Front said the chanting was uncalled for, and have confirmed that they will proceed with legal action in this regard.