Special state funeral for Mamoepa

SA flag to fly at half mast on Saturday

Ronnie Mamoepa, the recently departed spokesman for Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, will be sent off in a special state funeral.

President Jacob Zuma yesterday declared a Special Provincial Official Funeral for Mamoepa, 56, who died on Saturday night after spending a month in hospital.

Zuma’s spokesman Bongani Ngqulunga said Mamoepa was a “highly regarded government communicator, accomplished public servant and freedom fighter”.

Sent to Robben Island for five years at the age of 18, Mamoepa was one of the ANC’s youngest political prisoners. He continued activism following his release.

Mamoepa is credited for playing a significant role as a communicator for the ANC following its unbanning in 1990.

All anti-apartheid political organisations were unbanned in that year. After the historic elections in 1994, Mamoepa served as a member of the Gauteng legislature.

He returned to serving as a spokesman years later. Mamoepa was formerly spokesman for former president Thabo Mbeki and his deputy at the time, Zuma.

From 2000 to 2009, Mamoepa spoke to the media on behalf of Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who was minister of foreign affairs.

“He will fondly and forever be remembered for his humour and humility as well as the sterling work he displayed during his extensive spell in government,” said Ngqulunga.

The national flag will be flown at half-mast in all government buildings on Saturday, the day of the funeral.