Tshwane - The official memorial service for anti-apartheid activist and veteran government media liaison officer Ronnie Mamoepa will be held this week at the Tshwane Events Centre in Pretoria, his family said on Tuesday.
"Arrangements are being finalised for the official memorial service which will be held at the Tshwane Events Centre in Souter Street, Pretoria West, at 10am on Thursday. The funeral service will be held at the St Alban’s (Anglican) Cathedral on Nana Sita Street in the Pretoria CBD at 7am on Saturday," family spokesperson Groovin Nchabaleng in a statement.
"Mr Mamoepa will be buried at Zandfontein Cemetery to the west of the Pretoria CBD."
Earlier on Tuesday, President Jacob Zuma declared a Special Provincial Official Funeral for Mamoepa who died in Pretoria on Saturday after suffering a stroke last month.
Zuma hailed Mamoepa as a “highly regarded government communicator, accomplished public servant and freedom fighter”.
In a statement, the presidency said Mamoepa, a former Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, had became actively involved in the struggle for freedom and democracy at a very young age, which led to his arrest by apartheid security forces and a five-year prison sentence on Robben Island while still in his teens.
“He will fondly and forever be remembered for his humour and humility as well as the sterling work he displayed during his extensive spell in government where he served various government departments and political principals as spokesperson with distinction until his untimely death,” the presidency said.
Mamoepa had worked as spokesman and head of communications for the first post-apartheid Gauteng premier, Tokyo Sexwale, between 1994 and 1996. He later served as a Chief Director: Communication and spokesman to former President Thabo Mbeki and Zuma, who was deputy president at the time, before becoming foreign ministry spokesman.
In 2014, Mamoepa was seconded to the presidency by the department of home affairs and became spokesman for Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, a position he held until his death.
“Mr Mamoepa’s love and passion for communication as well as his affable and engaging nature is legendary both inside and outside government. He has also been credited with mentoring a number of young people as communicators of both government and the ruling party, the African National Congress, of which he was a proud member and spokesperson in its department of information and publicity after the dawn of freedom in 1994,” the presidency said.
Zuma has ordered that the national flag be flown at half-mast at every flag station in Gauteng on Saturday, the day of Mamoepa's funeral.
Responding to Zuma's gesture, Nchabaleng said the Mamoepa family was "deeply touched and humbled". He also expressed gratitude for the messages of support the family had received from people from all walks of life.
"The family appreciates the various forms of affection with which news of Ronnie’s passing has been met.
The family has also noted – and welcomes – various memorial events that are being held by government departments, organisations and other institutions," said Nchabaleng.
"These initiatives make it possible for Ronnie’s many associates from all walks of life as well as the general public to celebrate a remarkable South African. We thank you all for caring and sharing so much."