DEATH OF JANNIE MOMBERG

The Office of the ANC Chief Whip has learned with deep sadness of the death of former ANC Member of Parliament, Jannie Momberg, who passed away on 7 January at the age of 72. He was a veteran politician, experienced sports administrator and businessman.

Momberg served both the ANC and the country with selflessness and dedication in various capacities over the years. He is counted amongst those progressive Afrikaners who shunned racism and embraced the movement for the construction of a non-racial, united and prosperous South Africa.

He joined the ANC in 1992 following his resignation from the Democratic Party, which he joined after being NP member since 1957. He was elected into the executive committee of the ANC Western Cape in 1992. Momberg was amongst the first generation of the movement's representatives in Parliament in 1994. He served as the ANC House Whip and the Chairperson of the Programming Committee from 1994-2001. He also served in parliamentary portfolio committees on Home Affairs, Sports & Recreation and Ethics & Members' Interest.

In 2001, Momberg was appointed as the South African Ambassador to Greece, Bulgaria, Servia-Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzogivina and Cyprus. From 2005-2006 he occupied the position of the Dean of African Group of Ambassadors. Due to his tireless effort and excellence in the promotion of diplomatic relation between South African and Greece, Momberg was awarded the Medal of the City of Athens by the Mayor of that city.

A respected sports administrator, Momberg led a number of athletics and cricket associations, including as vice president of the South African Athletics Association and president of the Boland Cricket Union. He has also been involved in wine making for many years.

At the time of his death, Momberg was an executive trustee for the Macias Charitable Trust, which is responsible for feeding 300 orphans daily.

Momberg married Trienie Steyn in 1964 and they have four sons Niels, Steyn, Jannie, and Altus, and five grandchildren. He will be buried this morning in the Western Cape.

Statement issued by the Office of the ANC Chief Whip, ANC Parliamentary Caucus, January 14 2011

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