In a statement released to the media the foundation said, “On behalf of our chairman, Prof. Njabulo Ndebele, our Board of Trustees and staff, we at the Nelson Mandela Foundation offer our deepest condolences to the family, comrades and friends of Ruth Mompati who has passed away at the age of 89.”
The late Mompati worked as a typist for Nelson Mandela in the early 50s at his law practice Mandela and Tambo.
In 1962, the year that Mandela was arrested and sentenced to five years in prison, Mompati left the country and worked in exile for the African National Congress until its unbanning 28 years later.
On her return to South Africa in 1990 she was included in Mandela’s small team which began exploratory talks with the apartheid regime.
Mompati continued to promote Mandela’s legacy despite her advanced age and failing health, and on 13 December last year she participated in the Nelson Mandela Remembrance Walk to mark the first anniversary of his passing.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation noted that her contribution to freedom in South Africa would never be forgotten.
Read our previous story, South Africa mourns Mme Ruth Mompati
What do you admire about the late Ruth Mompati? Comment below, and let Rosebank Killarney Gazette know.
