Deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the eulogy at the special provincial funeral held at St Alban’s Cathedral.

GOVERNMENT communicator Ronnie Mamoepa (56) was laid to rest at Zandfontain Cemetery in Tshwane on Saturday.

Ramaphosa said: “He gave meaning to the saying, motho ke motho ka batho babang. His mind was never at rest, always thinking of ideas to communicate to the people. We lost a friend, brother and colleague.”

Hundreds gathered to say goodbye, including President Jacob Zuma, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, former presidents Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe and their wives Zanele Mbeki and Gugu Mtshali.

Also present were Speaker Baleka Mbete, ANC Gauteng chairman Paul Mashatile and Gauteng Health MEC Gwen Ramokgopa.

Speaking on behalf of the media, former acting SABC CEO Phil Molefe said: “We’d been hoping Ronnie would bounce back but it was not to be.”

Mashatile told the family to trust in God. “Your loss is ours and your pain is ours,” he said.

Mbete said she was still struggling with the news. “We see you in the many mentees you trained. Your charm and jokes will always keep us entertained.”

Mamoepa’s children Olefile, Muriel, Sakhile, Ntando and Ofentse also paid him an emotional tribute.

Ntando said he was surprised by the number of people at the funeral.