20 May 2015
On Tuesday 12 May 2015, South Africans woke up to the tragic news of the passing of struggle veteran and former Member of Parliament, Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati. She was 89 years old.
Mama Ruth as she was affectionately known was a humble, disciplined and dedicated champion of the people. She was born in Ganyesa Village in the District of Vryburg on 14 September 1925. Mama Ruth Mompati was one of the central figures in organising the historic 9th August 1956 march by over twenty thousand women of all races, to Pretoria.
Whilst in exile Mama Ruth together with women drove the plight of South African women in the international platforms. They fought for the rights of the women to be in the forefront of the agenda of the ANC struggle for the liberation.
In 1994, she was elected to the National Assembly and served as a Member of Parliament from 1994 to 1996. In 1996 she became the Ambassador to Switzerland and served in that capacity until 2000. She served for two terms as the Mayor of Naledi Municipality in Vryburg, where she resided until her passing.
The President has accorded Mama Ruth Mompati a special official funeral Category.
The Inter-Ministerial Committee on State Funerals met yesterday, the 19th of May in Cape Town to sign off the final funeral preparation arrangements.
Funeral Status
In line with this category, the President has ordered the National flags to be flown at half-mast at all flag posts in the Republic from Tuesday 13 May until the evening of the day of the funeral on Saturday 23 May.
Official memorial service
Various memorial services have been taking place across the North West to honour Mama Ruth Mompati since Sunday, including those held at her former school in Tigerkloof and where she was born in Tlapeng.
Government will on Thursday, 21 May 2015, at 12h00, hold an Official Memorial Service in honour of Mama Ruth Mompati at Huhudi Stadium, in Vryburg, North West Province. Premier of the North West, Supra Mahumapelo will deliver a key note address.
Funeral Service
The funeral service of Mama Ruth Mompati will take place on Saturday 23 May 2015 at Vryburg Showgrounds in North West Province. The service will commence at 09h00am. His Excellency President Jacob Zuma will deliver a eulogy.
Condolence books
54 condolence books have been placed at various government and municipal buildings across the North West Province. Members of the public who would like to convey their message of condolences to the Mompati family, are encouraged to write their messages in the condolence books. The Condolences Books are at the following venues:
- The Union Buildings
- Parliament
- Garona Building in Mahikeng and Vryburg
- GCIS North West Provincial office
- Naledi Local Municipality
- Hayes Park in Vryburg
- Dr Ruth Mompati District Municipality (15 Market Street)
- Mamusa Local Municipality
- Leekwa Teemane, Bloemhof and Christiana
- Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality
- Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality
- Bojanala District Municipality
- North West Provincial Legislature
Media Accreditation
Members of the media are advised to register for accreditation on the GCIS website. The accreditation closes at 10h00am on Friday 22 May. Media will be notified of the collection point for the accreditation in due course.
Public mobilisation
Members of the public will be transported in and around the North West province to pay their final respects to Mama Ruth Mompati. Pick up points for mourners will be announced at a later stage by the North West Province.
Social media
Government is also posting information regularly on the following online platforms:
www.gov.za
www.gcis.gov.za
The social media campaign on Twitter and Facebook has already started and will run until Sunday 24 May 2015. Members of the public are requested to use the following accounts @GovZa on Twitter and the Government ZA Facebook page. The hashtag to be used is #RIPMamaRuta
Government also advises people to check the websites and social media accounts of North West provincial government and municipalities for intermittent updates.
Enquiries:
Phumla Williams
Contact: 083 501 0139
Issued by Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) on behalf of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on State Funerals
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