Source: eNCA
In her 89 years, Dr Ruth Mompati served in a multitude of roles, from Nelson Mandela's typist to South Africa's ambassador to Switzerland.
Her life began in 1925 in a village outside Vryburg in the North West, and took her all the way to Tanzania, Zambia and the United Nations in New York, where she delivered a speech on women's experiences of apartheid in 1992.
The politician began working as a teacher in her home province in 1944, before joining the country's only black law firm in Johannesburg as a typist. The firm, founded by Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo, introduced Mompati to political heavyweights and, in time, she became one herself.
Mompati held numerous leadership positions, both in the ANC and the Federation of South Africa Women (Fedsaw). She went into exile in 1962 and underwent military training in the Soviet Union before leading female members of the ANC's underground operation in Tanzania.
She served in the first democratically elected cabinet in South Africa in 1994, and occupied the ambassadorial post in Switzerland from 1996 to 2000.
Mompati was born in Tlapeng village on 14 September 1925 and died in Cape Town on Tuesday, 12 May 2015 after a short illness.
'An immense void'
In a statement released on Tuesday, the ANC caucus in parliament honoured Mompati for her "outstanding contribution and sacrifice to the liberation struggle."
"On behalf of government and the entire country, we wish to convey our deepest sense of condolence to her family and comrades. May her soul rest in peace."
Well-known public and political figures expressed their grief and thanks for Mompati on Twitter, among them Public Protector Advocate Thuli Madonsela, Minister of Sport and Recreation Fikile Mbalula and Premier of Gauteng David Makhura.
Mompati's political party heralded her as a veteran and political giant who served her people and was committed to the prosperity of the country.
"The ANC and South Africa as a whole has lost a towering giant and a mother to countless generations of activists," read an ANC statement.
Similarly, the Democratic Alliance (DA), sent condolences to Mompati's family and the ANC following her death on Tuesday.
"We thank Mme Mompati for her contribution to our freedom and also to our democracy after the fall of apartheid," read the DA statement. "We wish her family and friends strength and comfort at this difficult time."
Former secretary general of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) Zwelinzima Vavi sent condolences to Mompati's grieving family.
He wrote, "we need real revolutionary cadres like her" and added a few barbish remarks on North West politics in his message.
Vavi assterted the liberation movement in Mompati's home province, the North West, was "riddled with factionalism and corruption" which cheated "workers and the poor communities."
Life lived to the full
Mompati worked as a teacher from 1944 until she was married in 1953. The following year, she joined the ANC and was later elected onto the Women's League. Mompati was one of the founding members of the Federation of South African Women (Fedsaw).
She also stood with thousands of women gathered at the Union Buildings during an anti-pass law demonstration on 9 August 1956. The action was led by Fedsaw and the ANC Women's League in the Cape.
Other prominent figures involved in that march to the Union Buildings were Helen Joseph, Lillian Ngoyi and Gertrude Shope.
Six years later, Mompati went into exile. She underwent military training in the Soviet Union. Mompati ran the women's division of the ANC in Tanzania.
She was also head of the ANC's Board of Religious Affairs, and between 1981 and 1982 Mompati served as the chief representative of the ANC in the United Kingdom.
Discussions, at home and away
Mompati was a delegate in the discussions between ANC leaders and members of the National Party (NP) government at Groote Schuur in 1990.
Mompati was appointed ambassador to Switzerland from 1996 to 2000 and on her return became the mayor of Vryburg, or Naledi, in the North West.
She was granted an honorary Master's degree in education by the North West University and an honorary doctorate by the Medical University of SA (Medunsa).
In April 2015, Mompati attended the unveiling of a statue in her honour in Vryburg and delivered a speech in which she promoted non-racialism
"This statue symbolises the struggle of all races because it is the struggle I was involved in," she said. "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."