Ronnie Mamoepa and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa. Photo: GCIS
DEPUTY President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesman, Ronnie Mamoepa, died in hospital at 11.15pm on Saturday night, the Presidency has announced. He was 56.
"The president and deputy president convey their sincere condolences to Mr Mamoepa's immediate and extended family, comrades, friends and colleagues," the statement read. "This is a great loss to me personally, to the Presidency and government at large," said Ramaphosa."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 will miss him greatly," Ramaphosa said.
The veteran spokesman took ill a month ago and had to undergo surgery. At the time, Ramaphosa visited him in hospital and wished him a speedy recovery.
Mamoepa was "a former political prisoner and member of the Gauteng provincial legislature, was a highly regarded and accomplished public servant and veteran communicator who served the African National Congress and various departments in government with distinction", the Presidency said.Mamoepa was a well known figure in media circles, having communicated the views and comments of various government ministers on topics as diverse as the Sudanese peace talks and the controversy over the Dalai Llama's planned visit many years ago.He was also a spokesperson for Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma when she was Home Affairs minister.
Condolences streamed in from politicians and the public as news spread of his passing.
