‘Limping General’ leaves void
Ramusi played big role in developing community
Born: May 27 1966
Died: August 7
Funeral: Sunday at Mangata Blue Ways Sports Ground in Botlokwa from 7am
Burial: Mangata Cemetery
The late Madikana “Vusi” Ramusi, known in political circles in Botlokwa, north of Polokwane in Limpopo as “Commander”, has left a void in local politics at the time that his beloved movement, the ANC, finds itself in crisis.
Ramusi, who was born in Mangata village in Botlokwa, died on Monday after a long history in the ANC stretching back to the 1980s.
He started schooling at Molemole Primary, went to Botlokwa Higher Primary and later proceeded to Kgarahara High School.
It was at Kgarahara where he took interest in politics and led students’ protests with Popoti Lekgema, Apelese Mahapa and Reuben Ramonwana, among others.
In the late 1980s, Ramusi and a group of “young lions” skipped the border into Zimbabwe on a mission to join Umkhonto weSizwe, the military wing of the ANC.
However, their mission was foiled when they were intercepted by security forces. During the skirmishes, he sustained injuries while escaping, and limped all the way to a hideout, hence the nickname “The Limping General”.
After 1994, Ramusi worked as an administrator at the parliamentary constituency office in Molemole, where he helped the community access government services.
He excelled in this position as a community builder and social activist, leading from the front in organising various protests against crime and social injustices in the area.
Among his initiatives, Ramusi and the police initiated “Operation Kitima Motlokwa”, a local crimefighting campaign.
He was also instrumental in the building of an overhead bridge in the N1/Ramokgopa intersection, which recently opened to the public.
He later resigned to work as ANC PR councillor in the Molemole local municipality from 2009 to May 2011.
Hamba kahleTebula!