South Africa’s ruling ANC salutes Mugabe

Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – Ace Magashule, the Secretary General of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) on Friday extended the party's condolences to the family of former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe following his death at the age of 95.

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 said the former liberation hero would always be remembered for his rallying cry: "Africa is for Africans and Zimbabwe is for Zimbabweans".

"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 of 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," he said.

Magashule also conveyed condolences to Zimbabwe’s governing ZANU-PF.

–0– PANA CU/MA 6Sept2019