Those who attended the memorial service of government communicator Ronnie Mamoepa yesterday heard how the 56-year-old was actually a “kid at heart “ who was devoted to his wife and children.
Delegates, including former president Kgalema Motlanthe, Gauteng MEC of Health Gwen Ramokgopa, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga and director of the South African National Editor’s Forum Mathatha Tsedu, spoke highly of Mamoepa’s excellent work ethic as a government communicator.
But it was his children who stole the show with their heartfelt tales.
His eldest son, Olefile, said his dad went to jail at a very young age and had limited knowledge on how to be a child.
“When you are a kid, your childhood is all about enjoying and knowing the world. And since my dad was a prisoner, he missed out on those moments. But he sure made up for them when he was with us. He loved fooling around, even in serious situations,” he said.
He said although his dad was comical and playful, he always took his job seriously and taught him work ethic.
“As much as he joked around, he equally got his job done,” he said.
Mamoepa was a former political prisoner and politician best known for his role as a long-standing, respected government communicator.
In his latest role since 2014, Mamoepa served as spokesperson for Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.
His youngest child, 18-year-old Sakhile, said he remembered once when his dad woke him up in the middle of the night at their Centurion home, asking him if he heard funny noises downstairs.
“He came in quietly in my room and asked me if I heard any noises. I replied no, but he still insisted we go downstairs to suss out the noise. When they got downstairs he opened the door and pushed me out and he locked. He said to me ‘you are the soldier and I’m the communicator’; so listen to my instructions.”
His 22-year-old daughter Muriel thanked her dad for loving their mom. He taught them what love was. Mamoepa will be given an official provincial funeral tomorrow, starting at St Alban's Anglican Cathedral in the city centre and concluding at Zandfontein Cemetery.