Family of late government spin doctor ask for prayers
THE family of respected government spokesman and freedom fighter Ronnie Mamoepa‚ who died on Saturday night aged 56‚ has asked South Africa to pray with them as they deal with their loss.
In a statement released on behalf of the family by Groovin Nchabeleng‚ the family confirmed Mamoepa had died at Unitas Hospital in Pretoria late on Saturday after battling from complications from a stroke he suffered last month.
“The Mamoepa family are asking the people of South Africa to join them in prayer as they come to terms with the untimely loss of Ronnie‚” the family’s statement read.
“Ronnie is an icon of the country’s liberation struggle having served five years of his youth in incarceration at the infamous Robben Island prison in Cape Town‚” the statement read.
“At the attainment of liberation in 1994‚ Ronnie joined government and served his country with distinction as a communications practitioner. His extensive experience included African National Congress communications and various communications roles in government‚ notably The Presi the then Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Home Affairs.”
The family also expressed their appreciation to hospital staff who cared for Mamoepa‚ thanking the various specialists who volunteered their services.
Most recently Mamoepa served as the spokesman for Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“This is a great loss to me personally‚ to The Presidency and government at large‚” Ramaphosa said in a statement.
“However‚ our thoughts are firstly and foremost with Ronnie’s wife‚ Audrey‚ his children and his siblings. I offer my sincere condolences to Ronnie’s relatives‚ friends‚ comrades and colleagues who have suffered the loss of someone who was much loved and respected across our country and beyond. We shall miss him greatly.”
Details of funeral arrangements will be released in due course‚ the family said.
Opposition parties also paid
DA national spokeswoman‚ Refiloe Nt’sekhe‚ said the party joined Mamoepa’s family and friends in mourning their loss.
She said that as a political prisoner‚ Mamoepa had made an immense contribution to the liberation of South Africa and the birth of the country’s democracy.
“We also remain grateful for his commendable work as a public servant. He was the personification of excellence.
“It is now left on us to ensure that his legacy lives on and we build on the vision of a democratic and prosperous South Africa that he sacrificed so much for” Nt’sekhe‚ said.
COPE leader Mosiuoa Lekota said he had known Mamoepa since the era of the United Democratic Front through to the present democratic dispensation.
“We knew Ronnie on Robben Island as a young star. He was a bright and disciplined young man who was always keen to learn. He inspired many young people. Over the years we saw his consistency and commitment grow as the years went by.
“He was always a committed and hard working comrade with a passion to communicate to our nation‚ the developments of our struggle and messages of the leadership about the course of action to be pursued at different stages.
“Even in this democratic dispensation he served the government of the day with pride and commitment to keep alive the spirit and principles of service to the people‚” Lekota said. — DDC tribute to the veteran.