Ramaphosa describes Mugabe as ‘an outstanding, outstanding African leader’

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday mourned the death of Zimbabwe’s former president and remembered him as a “champion of Africa’s cause against colonialism”.

In a voice note shared by the presidency, Ramaphosa gushed about Mugabe being remembered as “a towering leader of the struggle for the independence of the people of Zimbabwe” and ” as an outstanding, outstanding leader on the African continent”.

“President Mugabe will be sorely missed because he was also one of those presidents who contributed to the freedom of the people in South Africa. Once they attained their own independence, they established a free and independent Zimbabwe to be on of the frontline states where we as the African National Congress were able to find refuge, and where they supported our struggle.

“We will forever remember President Mugabe as a gallant leader of Pan-Africanism, of the independence of Africa, and we dip our heads to his memory, and we will be passing our condolences over time to the people of Zimbabwe, and wish them well as they proceed on a journey.

“We will forever be grateful for the contribution that he made, and we say may his soul rest in peace, and we wish the people of Zimbabwe well as they walk through this very difficult period as they now prepare to lay him to rest.”

Earlier, the president had further paid tribute to the divisive former leader by saying: “Under President Mugabe’s leadership, Zimbabwe’s sustained and valiant struggle against colonialism inspired our own struggle against apartheid and built in us the hope that one day South Africa too would be free,” Ramaphosa said in a statement.

This followed ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule extending the party’s condolences to the family of Mugabe following reports of his death at the age of 95.

Mugabe, who ruled Zimbabwe for 37 years, had a long-term illness for which he was treated at a hospital in Singapore.

Current Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa confirmed the news on Twitter.

Magashule said Mugabe’s life epitomised the “new African” who, having shrugged off the colonial yoke, strived to ensure his country took its place among the community of nations, firmly in charge of its own destiny.

Magashule added that Mugabe was as an ardent and vocal advocate of African unity and self-reliance and said he would always be remembered for his rallying cry: “Africa is for Africans, Zimbabwe is for Zimbabweans.”

Magashule said: “Though the ANC and its leadership may have differed, often vociferously, with Mugabe on matters of national interest, as fraternal organisations we held as sacrosanct the principle of sovereignty. History alone will be the decider over whether the courses of action taken by leaders in the interests of their countrymen were the correct ones.

“We remember the immortal words of William Shakespeare, that the deeds men do live after them, and yet ‘the good is oft interred with their bones’. To the Mugabe family, we extend our heartfelt condolences.”

The secretary-general also conveyed condolences to Zanu-PF, the liberation party which Mugabe led for more than three decades.

“To our friends in Zanu-PF, be comforted that you have lost a leader whose service to his country will forever be inscribed. We mourn with you the passing of our friend, statesman, leader, revolutionary.”

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