BIOgraphy
The Biography of Ronnie Mamoepa
Introduction
Ronnie Mamoepa (12 July 1960 – 22 July 2017) was a South African communicator, political activist, and public servant who made significant contributions to the country’s communication environment and government departments throughout his nearly four-decade career.
Early Life and Education:
Mamoepa was born on 12 July 1960 in Atteridgeville, west of Pretoria, as the fourth child of Helen Mamoepa. He attended Matseka Lower Primary School and Walton Jameson Higher Primary School from 1966 to 1973. He then enrolled at Hofmeyer High School from 1974 to 1979. However, his education was interrupted due to his involvement in political activities.
Political Activism and Imprisonment:
From 1976 to 1979, Mamoepa actively participated in the Atteridgeville-Saulsville student movement and frequently faced detention under the country’s terrorism laws. At the age of nineteen, he was arrested and charged with conspiracy to overthrow the state, resulting in a five-year prison sentence on Robben Island. Despite his young age, Mamoepa became one of the youngest political prisoners on the island. During his time in prison, he obtained his matric certificate in 1983 and registered with the University of South Africa (UNISA) to pursue a B.Juris degree.
Return to Activism and Journalism:
Following his release from Robben Island, Mamoepa resumed his political activities in Atteridgeville, Pretoria. He served as an Executive Member of the Atteridgeville-Saulsville Detainees Support Committee and the Pretoria Youth Congress. Mamoepa played a key role in mobilizing young people in support of the African National Congress (ANC) – United Democratic Front (UDF) and organizing political lessons and media publicity within the township. From 1986 to 1990, he worked as a journalist for SASPU National, using his writing skills to promote the objectives of the democratic movement.
Role in ANC and Government Communication:
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Mamoepa held various positions within the ANC and played a crucial role in communication and media strategy development. He served as a Provincial Executive Committee Member of the UDF Southern Transvaal from 1989 to 1991, acting as the spokesperson for the region and contributing to media and communication strategies. Mamoepa also worked on the Media team of the National Reception Committee, where he played an instrumental role in presenting released political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela, to the nation and profiling the ANC’s contributions.
In 1990, Mamoepa joined the ANC’s Department of Information and Publicity and later became the spokesperson for the department. After the first democratic elections in 1994, he was elected as a member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature and served on the Housing and Safety and Security Portfolio Committees. Mamoepa also assisted in establishing the communications unit in the Office of the Premier.
From 1996 to 1998, Mamoepa served as the Director of the Information and Publicity unit of the ANC, managing the daily affairs of the department on behalf of the NEC sub-committee on media. During this time, he also acted as the National Spokesperson of the ANC. In August 1998, he was appointed as Chief Director of Communication in the Office of Deputy President Thabo Mbeki, collaborating closely with the newly formed Government Communication and Information Systems (GCIS).
Presidential Spokesperson and Public Diplomacy:
When Thabo Mbeki became President of South Africa in June 1999, Mamoepa assumed the position of Presidential Spokesperson for a few months before transitioning to the Department of Foreign Affairs in February 2000. He headed the Public Diplomacy unit and also served as the spokesperson for the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma. Mamoepa played a significant role in promoting South Africa’s international relations strategy and programs.
Later Career and Passing:
In May 2009, Mamoepa joined the Department of Home Affairs as the head of the communications portfolio. He contributed to improving the department’s internal and external communication activities and enhanced its reputation by highlighting its role in improving the lives of the people. In June 2014, he was seconded to the Presidency and appointed as the spokesperson to Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, leading the Deputy President’s communications team.
Ronnie Mamoepa held the position until his passing on 22 July 2017, leaving a lasting legacy as a dedicated communicator, political activist, and public servant.
