African National Congress stalwart Ruth Mompati passed away in the early hours of this morning following a long illness‚ the ruling party announced in a statement today.
“Born in 1925‚ Dr played an indelible role in both the liberation and development of our country and to her and her generation we owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude‚” said the statement.
Mompati was introduced to the ANC when she worked as a shorthand typist for Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo in their law practice in Johannesburg. She went on to be elected to the National Executive Committee of the Women‘s League.
She is credited as one of the leaders of the historic Women‘s March on August 9‚ 1956.
She went into exile in 1962‚ where she underwent military training and held office as secretary and head of the women’s section of the ANC in Tanzania.
Between 1981 and 1982‚ Mompati served as the chief representative of the ANC in the United Kingdom and became part of the delegation that opened talks with the South African government at Groote Schuur in 1990.
In August 1992‚ she addressed the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid in New York on the subject of women. The day was then declared an International Day of Solidarity with Women in South Africa.
With the ushering in of democracy in 1994‚ Mompati continued to serve in various guises — as South Africa’s ambassador to Switzerland from 1996 to 2000‚ mayor of Vryburg (Naledi) in the North-West Province and later served as an executive member of Umkontho WeSizwe Veteran‘s Association.
“Her unwavering determination to serve her people and her commitment to the prosperity of our nation will be sorely missed‚” the ANC statement said.
“The African National Congress sends its deepest condolences to Mama Ruth Mompati‘s family and friends. We thank them for having borrowed us this icon of the struggle of liberation of the South African people.”
“She leaves behind a proud legacy of steadfastness‚ resilience and selflessness for her exceptional and outstanding contribution and sacrifice to the liberation struggle.”
ANC mourns stalwart Mama Ruth Mompati
“Born in 1925‚ Dr played an indelible role in both the liberation and development of our country and to her and her generation we owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude‚” said the statement.
Mompati was introduced to the ANC when she worked as a shorthand typist for Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo in their law practice in Johannesburg. She went on to be elected to the National Executive Committee of the Women‘s League.
She is credited as one of the leaders of the historic Women‘s March on August 9‚ 1956.
She went into exile in 1962‚ where she underwent military training and held office as secretary and head of the women’s section of the ANC in Tanzania.
Between 1981 and 1982‚ Mompati served as the chief representative of the ANC in the United Kingdom and became part of the delegation that opened talks with the South African government at Groote Schuur in 1990.
In August 1992‚ she addressed the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid in New York on the subject of women. The day was then declared an International Day of Solidarity with Women in South Africa.
With the ushering in of democracy in 1994‚ Mompati continued to serve in various guises — as South Africa’s ambassador to Switzerland from 1996 to 2000‚ mayor of Vryburg (Naledi) in the North-West Province and later served as an executive member of Umkontho WeSizwe Veteran‘s Association.
“Her unwavering determination to serve her people and her commitment to the prosperity of our nation will be sorely missed‚” the ANC statement said.
“The African National Congress sends its deepest condolences to Mama Ruth Mompati‘s family and friends. We thank them for having borrowed us this icon of the struggle of liberation of the South African people.”
“She leaves behind a proud legacy of steadfastness‚ resilience and selflessness for her exceptional and outstanding contribution and sacrifice to the liberation struggle.”
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