The North-West University (NWU), in conjunction with The Department of Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation (DACSR) and the Ruth Mompati Foundation, will be hosting a memorial lecture in honour of the late struggle stalwart Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati.

This by-invitation-only event will take place on 10 March on the campus in Mahikeng.

The memorial lecture is expected to be attended by prominent individuals, including people who worked closely with the late anti-apartheid struggle veteran.

The event is part of a series of memorial lectures the DACSR and the NWU have jointly hosted in the past. The most recent lecture took place last year in honour of the legendary poet and struggle hero, Prof Keorapetse Kgosietsile.

The lecture will be delivered by Dr Ralph Manyane from the NWU’s subject group History in the Faculty of Humanities.

Prof Mpho Chaka, deputy dean for teaching and learning in the Faculty of Humanities, says the NWU recognises the importance of public discourse. “By participating in public debates we enrich, strengthen and deepen participatory democracy and also contribute to intellectual development of our students and the public at large.”

According to Prof Chaka the NWU runs a number of programmes to improve the intellectual climate, enabling a research orientation for academic staff and postgraduate students. “In this regard, we recognise the importance and value of multiple forms of interaction with prominent scholars, political elites and communities at large.

“Among programmes that raise the levels of debate is hosting Dr Manyane’s public lecture. Such a platform enables us to celebrate the heroes and heroines of our South African history. We continue to collaborate with our different stakeholders to ensure that we create a culture of intellectual debates,’’ adds Prof Chaka.

DACSR MEC Virginia Tlhapi says it is an honour for the department to be given the opportunity to celebrate the life of this struggle giant.

We are doing this so that her name is eternally etched in the memories of our youth and future generations. They need to know that we owe our hard-earned freedom to people like Ruth Mompati. We thank the NWU and the foundation for taking hands with us to make the event a success.’’

A spokesperson for the Dr Ruth Mompati Foundation says they welcome the initiative. “Legends such as Dr Mompati need to be celebrated by society for the role they played in attaining the dream of a free society. Her legacy should be respected.’’

More about Dr Ruth Mompati

Mama Ruth was a humble, disciplined and dedicated champion of the people. She was born in Ganyesa Village in the district of Vryburg on 14 September 1925.

She was one of the central figures in organising the historic Anti Pass Law march of 9 August 1956 when more than 20 000 women of all races marched to Pretoria.

Between 1953 and 1961 she worked as a typist for a law firm run by Oliver Tambo and Nelson Mandela. She joined the African National Congress in 1954.

Dr Mompati passed away on 12 May 2015 at the age of 89.

 Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati.