Johannesburg – South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday expressed his “profound and sincere condolences” over the death of Queen Elizabeth II, in a statement addressed to the new king, Charles III.
“Her Majesty was an extraordinary and world-renowned public figure who lived a remarkable life. Her life and legacy will be fondly remembered by many around the world,” Ramaphosa said.
“The Queen’s commitment and dedication during her 70 years on the throne remains a noble and virtuous example”.
The president said he met the queen at the last Commonwealth meeting in London in 2018, adding that they had looked at letters she was sent by former South African president Nelson Mandela, “reminiscing about the great stateman” whom she “respected enormously”.
“Her Majesty was an extraordinary & world-renowned public figure who lived a remarkable life. Her life & legacy will be fondly remembered by many around the world.” Pres Cyril Ramaphosa sends condolences to the British Royal Family on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II https://t.co/iuzKnZIWPr
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) September 8, 2022
Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-serving monarch in British history, died aged 96 in her Scottish summer residence following nearly a year of ailing health.
Yet, not everyone in South Africa — a member of the Commonwealth, a group of countries largely made up of former British colonies — expressed their sympathies to the late monarch’s family.
“We do not mourn the death of Elizabeth, because to us her death is a reminder of a very tragic period in this country and Africa’s history,” wrote the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters party led by firebrand politician Julius Malema.
The party described the late Queen as the head of an institution “built up, sustained and living off a brutal legacy of dehumanisation of millions of people across the world.”
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Source: AFP
Picture: Getty Images
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