Final salute to Ronnie

IT was with deep sadness that we received the devastating message of the death of a gallant fighter for freedom, a time-tested public servant and a seasoned government communicator par excellence – Mr Ronnie Mamoepa.

In this time of heavy sadness, when the ravenous messenger of death has landed on our doorstep, the Department of Home Affairs, on behalf of the minister, deputy minister, directorgeneral and staff, wish to convey their heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr Mamoepa, and to all of his colleagues, friends and comrades across the length and breadth of our beloved country.

In spite of the success he was making for himself, family and country in the Deputy President’s Office, we still hoped one day he would return to complete the mammoth tasks he set in motion in the sphere of communication at Home Affairs. Without the Ronnie magic, we are left the poorer.

He will be missed by all patriots – regardless of any of the human-made notions of divisive power, whether they be political, ethnic, racial, class or gender-based. It is in the lives of such rare spirits, like Ronnie, that we get to see the vision of a better humanity we all would want to see. Already, he is deeply missed. To the family we say, with the many of our people deeply shocked by his untimely departure in hospital, after a recent stroke, your loss is our loss and as Mr Ronnie Mamoepa would have said from his genuine African heart: “Your pain is indeed our pain.”

May his soul rest in peace. Thabo Mogkola Department of Home Affairs