SHARPEVILLE. – Moipone Ramashamole (80) received the Vuyisile Mini Category Posthumous Award on behalf of her late daughter, struggle activist Theresa Ramashamole.
Moipone was recently surprised when visited by members of the Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA). The late Mini is among those who were hanged for his role in MK and for anti-apartheid activism.
The African National Congress (ANC) recently recognised, honoured and awarded the roles played by some of their stalwarts during the struggle.
The national awards were issued by the ANC National Chairperson Baleka Mbethe and MKMVA National Chairperson Kebby Maphatsoe.
This prestigious function was hosted at the St George Hotel, Pretoria, last month.
MKMVA Provincial Chairperson Daddy Thinane and Mkhonto Radebe, MKMVA national finance committee member handed the award to the family in Sharpeville.
It was an emotional moment when Moipone received the award. She could not hold back tears of appreciation.
This was 30 days after her daughter – struggle-heroine Theresa – was laid to rest in the Vanderbijlpark cemetery. Theresa is one of the ‘Sharpeville Six’ murder trial accused during 1988.
She was sentenced to be hanged by the apartheid government along with the rest of the group. Moipone thanked the ANC and the MK for recognising the role played by her daughter: “I wish she was here to receive and see the beautiful things our government is doing.” She pleaded with MK to always remember Ramashamole’s family.
“Thank you for the commitment shown by the deceased during the struggle. It is an honour for the region to have a representative during the awards.,” said Radebe. Theresa is the first person to receive such an award. It is also the first national annual awards the government together with the MK have introduced.
Thinane assured the family that the MK will always be behind them through thick and thin: “None of the comrades or their next-of-kin will go hungry while the ANC is in government.”
