ANC veteran Dimakatso Mamrobi was given a fitting send off during her burial in Bophelong, Vaal Triangle in Gauteng recently.
There to bid her farewell was speaker of national parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa Nqakula who was accompanied by her husband, former minister of police Charles Nqakula.
Mamrobi died after a long illness at her home in Bophelong this month.
The funeral service was also attended by the ANC senior politicians in the Vaal, including Madisebo Kgomoeasera, Maipato Tsokolibane and Nelisiwe Mbatha.
Former Congress of South African Student (Cosas) leaders who graced the funeral included Buda Tsotetsi and Chaka Radebe.
During her address Nqakula hailed Mamrobi as a true ANC member that served the organization until taking her last breath.
She said Mamrobi, who served as a member of parliament (MPL), was one of the ANC’s women leaders who helped initiate her into the workings of government when she joined parliament post the 1999 national general elections.
She expressed gratitude to the mentoring and guidance received from the late Mamrobi, saying that her fighting spirit as well as her legacy of helping people will live on forever.
“Mamrobi taught us how to fight the evil system of apartheid while holding a Bible on the other hand, her life of resistance should serve as a mirror for all of us,” she said.
Nqakula said it was a pity that some of the scheduled speakers on the funeral program that have confirmed their attendance failed to show up as planned.
She said: “Who will testify on your behalf when you leave this world, the absence of some of the speakers that had been included in the program is not a mistake, God wanted it that way, we plan but he decides as the creator.”
She described Mamrobi as a disciplinarian that was active in politics of the region during the turbulent 80’s, adding that she is grateful for having had the opportunity of visiting her on her last days.
Also in attendance at the funeral was members of the ANC Women’s League in their colorful regalia as well as members of the ANC Veterans League.
Nqakula said it is important for everyone to exercise their hard won democratic right to vote in the forthcoming national general elections.
She cautioned that the freedom enjoyed today was not offered to the formerly disenfranchised on a silver platter.
“It is not a question of who you will be voting for, rather it is about defending the democracy that the people of the Vaal so fiercely fought for.
Mamrobi was given a category2 official burial by the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM), which she served during the transitional local government post the 1996 local government elections.
Sibongile Soquza, Emfuleni Local Municipality speaker, said Mamrobi was not ‘just a politician but was a revolutionary’ who fought injustices and empowered women.
