Gauteng Premier David Makhura described the late anti-apartheid activist Ronnie Mamoepa, who served as Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, as a distinguished civil servant and a model communicator.
“He is particularly remembered for his contribution to communicating a very clear and simple message that resonates with ordinary citizens, about the work of government.
"There are many things we will remember Ronnie for. He was full of life and full of love,” said Makhura.
“Wherever he was, you would feel his presence.
There are many words to describe him. He was extremely passionate and he was always ethical in the many years of public service, in government as a communicator. Ronnie had never done something that I personally heard from communication people or from the media being described as bad. He was an exceptional human being.”
Several government and ANC senior officials visited Mamoepa’s Centurion home in Pretoria to express their condolences.
Mamoepa died at the age of 56 on Saturday after suffering a stroke last month.
Mamoepa, a former political prisoner and member of the Gauteng provincial legislature, was a highly regarded and well-liked communicator, who served the ANC and various departments in government.
He was notably foreign ministry spokesperson and in his latest role, since 2014, served as spokesperson for Ramaphosa.
SACP secretary-general Blade Nzimande said: “Much as it is very sad, we think that we must use this period to celebrate Ronnie's life. He lived an incredible life 56 is relatively young.
"He went to prison very young and has actually done all these things. The last time I met him, he had accompanied the deputy president (Cyril Ramaphosa) to come and express their condolences at the death of my mother.
“I had known Ronnie for a very long time. I have known Ronnie from 1992 when I was heading the department of information and publicity.
"It was during a very difficult time of violence. Ronnie would say you have to stand up and communicate.”