WATCH: 'Mamoepa knew how to bring clear, simple message to public'

Gauteng Premier David Makhura on Monday paid tribute to the late anti-apartheid activist and communicator Ronnie Mamoepa during a visit to his home in Centurion, near Pretoria. PHOTO:Jonisayi Maromo/ANA

Gauteng Premier David Makhura on Monday paid tribute to the late anti-apartheid activist and communicator Ronnie Mamoepa during a visit to his home in Centurion, near Pretoria. PHOTO:Jonisayi Maromo/ANA

Published Jul 24, 2017

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Pretoria – Gauteng Premier David Makhura on Monday described the late anti-apartheid activist Ronnie Mamoepa, who served as Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesman, 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," Makhura said to journalists outside Mamoepa's Centurion home.

"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 African National Congress senior officials were streaming into Mamoepa's Centurion home to express their condolences. 

Mamoepa died at the age of 56 late on Saturday night after suffering a stroke last month.

Ramaphosa and President Jacob Zuma both expressed deep sadness at Mamoepa’s death.

Mamoepa, a former political prisoner and member of the Gauteng provincial legislature, was a highly regarded and well-liked communicator who served the African National Congress and various departments in government. He was notably foreign ministry spokesman and in his latest role, since 2014, served as spokesperson for Ramaphosa. 

“This is a great loss to me personally, to the presidency, and government at large,” Ramaphosa has said.

 

“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.”

 

Ramaphosa, who visited Mamoepa in hospital several times during his illness, thanked the management and staff of Unitas Hospital as well as other medical professionals who attended to him.

Gauteng Premier David Makhura on Monday paid tribute to the late anti-apartheid activist and communicator Ronnie Mamoepa during a visit to his home in Centurion, near Pretoria. VIDEO :Jonisayi Maromo/ANA

African News Agency

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