Condolences pour in for former President Mugabe

Harare,(New Ziana) – Leaders and people around the world sent hearty condolences to Zimbabwe following the death of the country’s founding father and liberation icon, former President Robert Mugabe on Friday.
The former President, a fierce advocate of black economic empowerment, died in Singapore at the age of 95.
Mugabe, who resigned in 2017, had been in and out of hospital frequently lately.
Below are some of the condolence messages from African leaders, local political leaders and other prominent people from around the world.

Zambian President Edgar Lungu.

“I am saddened at the passing of a Pan-Africanist, Zimbabwe’s founding father and former President Cde Robert Mugabe. He will be remembered for his fight for Africa’s liberation and standing up to fearlessly defend a continent he loved the most. His place in the annals of Africa’s political history is well assured. Zambia mourns with the people of Zimbabwe. Go well son of Africa, Go well son of the soil.”

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

“We remember him as a towering leader of the struggle for independence of the people of Zimbabwe, but (also) as an outstanding leader on the continent. President Mugabe will be solely missed because he was one of those Presidents who also contributed to the freedom of the people of South Africa. Once they attained their own independence, they established a free and independent Zimbabwe to be one 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.
President Mugabe contributed a great deal to pan-Africanism and also to our own struggle and 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.”

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“On behalf of the Government and the People of the Republic of Kenya and on my own behalf, I wish to convey our deepest sympathies and condolences to the Government and the People of the Republic of Zimbabwe following the death of former President Robert Gabriel Mugabe. In this moment of sorrow, my thoughts and prayers go out to his family, his relatives and the people of Zimbabwe who, for many years, he served with commitment and dedication.
Words cannot convey the magnitude of the loss as former President Mugabe was an elder statesman, a freedom fighter and a Pan-Africanist who played a major role in shaping the interests of the African continent Indeed, we will remember former President Mugabe as a man of courage who was never afraid to fight for what he believed in even when it was not popular. To his family, the Government and the people of Zimbabwe, may the Almighty God comfort you and may the soul of former President Mugabe rest in eternal peace.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Many important events in contemporary history of Zimbabwe are linked with the name of Robert Mugabe. He made a major personal contribution to the struggle for your country’s independence and to building institutions of Zimbabwean statehood. The people of Russia will remember him as a consistent advocate of developing friendly relations between our countries and a person who had accomplished a great deal to strengthen mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation.”

Namibian President Hage Geingob.

“I learned with sadness about the death of President Robert Mugabe, an extraordinary revolutionary and tenacious freedom fighter who contributed immensely to Africa and Namibia’s cause for freedom. Condolences to the family and people of Zimbabwe. May his soul rest in peace.”

SADC

“Our heartfelt condolences to the Mugabe family, government and people of Zimbabwe on the passing of former President Robert Gabriel Mugabe. SADC will always remember President Mugabe as an icon and son of Africa who, through fighting tirelessly and selflessly, liberated Zimbabwe.
He believed and struggled for total liberation of Southern Africa. His immense contribution to SADC integration will be cherished forever. While grieving his death, we need to celebrate his life and achievements attained both nationally and regionally.”

US Embassy in Zimbabwe

“The United States extends its condolences to the Mugabe family and the people of Zimbabwe as they mourn the passing of former President Robert Mugabe. We join the world in reflecting on his legacy in securing Zimbabwe’s independence.”

EU delegation in Zimbabwe

“The European Union offers its condolences on the passing of former President of Zimbabwe, Robert #Mugabe.”

Nelson Chamisa, opposition MDC party leader

“My condolences to the Mugabe family and Africa for the passing on of Zimbabwe’s founding President. This is a dark moment for the family because a giant among them has fallen. May the Lord comfort them.
There’s so much to say for a life of 95 years and national leadership spanning over 37 years but in the true spirit of Ubuntu, we would like to give this moment to mourning.
“Even though I and our party, the MDC, had great political differences with the late former President during his tenure in office, and disagreed for decades, we recognise his immense contribution to the liberation struggle.”

David Coltart, MDC Treasurer General

“Robert Gabriel Mugabe has died. My condolences are extended to his family and friends. He was a colossus on the Zimbabwean stage and his enduring positive legacy will be his role in ending white minority rule and expanding a quality education to all Zimbabweans.”

South African ruling party, ANC

“The African National Congress mourns the passing of our brother comrade President Robert Gabriel Mugabe, who passes away having devoted his life to the service of his country and his people.”
“Throughout his life, the late comrade Mugabe was an ardent and vocal advocate of African unity and self-reliance.”

Vangelis Haritatos, Deputy Minister of Agriculture

“Today we wake u to learn that Zimbabwe’s founding father, liberator, revolutionary icon and former President Cde Robert Gabriel Mugabe has passed away. It is not only a great loss for Zimbabwe, a true pan-Africanist whose contribution to our great nation and Africa at large will never be forgotten.
I was born in a free and independent Zimbabwe because of liberators like him, and I will always be grateful to him for that. My deepest and sincerest condolences go out to Zimbabwe and Africa as a whole.”

Professor Lovemore Madhuku, opposition NCA party leader

“My parents are poor peasants in Chipinge. They could not have afforded to pay for my university education. Under the leadership of Robert Gabriel Mugabe, the government of an independent Zimbabwe paid for my university education. My generation benefited from that vision.”
New Ziana