Ronnie Mamoepa, a seasoned government communicator and public servant, has passed away. The Department of Home Affairs expresses its deep sadness at his untimely death and heartfelt condolences to his family and colleagues. Mamoepa was a gallant fighter for freedom who served with distinction. He will be missed for his dedication to communication and public service. While he had found success in his new role, the Department had hoped he would one day return to continue his important work in communication. His passing is a loss not only to his family but to all South Africans.

1. MediaStatement
Farewell toagallantpatriot,Mr Ronnie Mamoepa
It was withdeepsadnessthatwe receivedthe devastatingmessage onthe passing-onof agallant
fighterforfreedom,atime-testedpublicservantanda seasonedgovernmentcommunicatorpar
excellence –Mr Ronnie Mamoepa.
In thistime of heavysadness,whenthe ravenousmessengerof deathhadlandedonour doorstep,
the Departmentof Home Affairs,onbehalf of the Minister,DeputyMinister,Director-General and
staff,wishestoconveyitsheartfeltcondolencestothe familyof MrMamoepa,and to all of his
colleagues,friendsandcomradesacrossthe lengthandbreadthof our belovedRepublic.
In spite of the successhe was makingforhimself,family,andcountryinthe DeputyPresident’s
Office,we still hopedone dayhe will returntocomplete the mammothtaskshe setinmotioninthe
sphere of communicationatHome Affairs.Withoutthe Ronniemagicwe are leftthe poorer.
He will be missedbyall patriots –regardlessof anyof the human-made notionsof divisivepower,
whethertheybe political,ethnic,racial,class,orgender-based.Itisinthe livesof suchrare spirits,
like Ronnie, thatwe gettosee the visionof a betterhumanitywe all wouldlike tosee.Already,he is
deeplymissed.
To the familywe say,withthe manyof our people deeplyshockedbyhisuntimelydeparture last
night,inhospital,afterarecentstroke,yourlossisour loss,andas Mr Ronnie Mamoepawouldhave
saidfrom hisgenuine Africanheart,yourpainisindeedourpain.
May hissoul restinpeace!
Enquiries:
DavidHlabane,071 342 4284
Bongiwe Gambu,082 714 9463
Thabo Mokgola,060 962 4982
Issuedbythe Departmentof Home Affairson23 July2017.