Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality
A tribute to Mme Ruth Segomotsi Mompati In this article we pay tribute to former Mayor, struggle icon, former Member of Parliament and the Ambassador of South Africa in Switzerland, Mme Ruth, as she was affectionately known. Mme Ruth, who passed away in a Cape Town hospital on 12 May 2015 at the age of 89 after an illness, was born in Tlapeng village, near Vryburg, in the then Western Transvaal. The Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality (formerly Bophirima District Municipality) in the North West, where she was born, and later served as Mayor, is named after her. In April 2015 Government honoured her as a struggle veteran, with a sculpture situated in the Hayes community Park in Vryburg, North West. The sculpture, renovated by the National Department of Public Works, was unveiled by the then North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo. He said honouring Mme Ruth when she was still alive was the decent and right thing to do.
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”. She is remembered as the former typist of the Mandela and Tambo law firm and a leader of the anti-pass laws in the early 80s. Mme Ruth’s commitment to fight for the liberation and emancipation of this country forced her into exile, only to return later to form part of the delegation that opened the dialogue with the South African government at Groote Schuur in 1990. On 10 August 1992, a day after the anniversary of the historic Women’s March to Pretoria in 1956, Mme Ruth addressed the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid in New York on the issue of women’s rights, with a view to redress the historical injustices that had been exacerbated by apartheid.
“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.
In 1994, she was elected among a first generation of African National Congress (ANC) MPs to the National Assembly, where she served until 1996 before being posted to Switzerland as an ambassador for four years.
In her acceptance speech, the struggle stalwart said: “This statue symbolises the struggle of all races because it is
In 2000, she returned to Naledi Local Municipality in Vryburg, her home town, to serve as a mayor until May
2010, becoming the first crop of leadership to set up the foundation of local government. As we celebrate and build on the achievements of the past, we shall take inspiration from Mme Ruth’s leadership and her willingness to serve. Local government has come a long way since its establishment in 2000 – a firm foundation has been laid which we should reflect and build on as we lead up to the 2021 Local Government elections.
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