Pretoria - Government has honoured struggle veteran, Ruth Mompati, with a sculpture situated in the Hayes community Park in Vryburg, North West.
The sculpture, which was renovated to the tune of R2.6 million by the national Department of Public Works, was unveiled recently by North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo.
He said honouring Mompati when she is still alive is the decent and right thing to do.
“Recognising and celebrating the exceptional role Mama Ruth played in the liberation struggle could not be any better than this, as this will help us never to forget our past. We thank you Mama Ruth for having laid a solid foundation for us,” he said.
The Department of Public Works officially handed over the sculpture to the Naledi Local Municipality as part of the day’s programme which was themed, “Celebrating our living heritage and legend”.
In her acceptance speech, the struggle stalwart who will turn 90 in September later this year, said: “This statue symbolises the struggle of all races because it is the struggle I was involved in. I dedicate it to all South Africans; especially the people of Vryburg and women of this country, the sculpture must always be seen as a mark of unity, which all must embrace”.
Mompati, who is one of the struggle icons who played a very critical role in the fight against apartheid, was born in 1925 at Tlapeng village in Ganyesa, outside Vryburg. She was one of the first women to go on exile to pursue the struggle of women liberation.
She received the highest honour of Isithwalandwe – Seaparankwe from President Jacob Zuma in January last year, in recognition of the enormous contribution and sacrifice she made during the liberation struggle. - SAnews.gov.za
