Mamoepa believed in service above self

ANOTHER spear has fallen, in the passing of true and dedicated ANC stalwart and freedom fighter, Ronnie Mamoepa.

The nation has lost a courageous man and a true South African hero. His quiet fight for equality sounded the bells of freedom for millions.

He demonstrated with humility, dignity, commitment, and resolve the power of an ordinary person, working with others, to do extraordinary things.

We cherish the noble ideals that spurred him into action. His resolve and passion for accomplishing stability in southern Africa will be missed, at this critical stage.

Our society teaches history through stories of remarkable individuals, and while Mamoepa was indeed remarkable, his legacy is also about collective action, willed risk, intentional plans and mass movement.

His legacy is the story of actions taken in the face of great risk to effect change.

Mamoepa was a person who believed in service above self and that he steered clear of any activity that would compromise his integrity.

Determining our rights as human beings, the cause to which he gave his life will not be forgotten.

It should both sadden and challenge us that Mamoepa’s courageous spirit and principled convictions are such a rare value in this quiet, politically correct, unprincipled, commodity-driven world.

He defied the nationalist regime with his fearlessness and his commitment to a free and fair society.

His gentile and non-confrontational approach to politics had endeared him to many actors across the political divide.

Courage in the face of oppression, resistance in the face of injustice. That is the enduring legacy of Mamoepa. He was a courageous man who did what he believed was fair and right.

He is a testament to the power of one individual willing to fight for their beliefs.

We all owe a debt of gratitude to Mamoepa for his contribution to freedom and justice for all men and women in this country. Truly, his actions changed the course of history.

Let us build a prosperous society, true to the deeds of our fallen gallant freedom fighters, like Mamoepa.

Thank you, Ronnie Mamoepa, for being one of the architects of our freedom. You did so much, for so many, for so little. You will always remain a symbol of individual excellence.

We pray that we may all be granted fortitude during this difficult period of mourning.

A courageous man who did what he believed was fair and right

Benoni