Chiwenga mourns Madikizela-Mandela

Acting President Constantino Guvheya Nyikadzino Chiwenga has sent a condolence message to South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa and the people of South Africa following the death of liberation struggle icon and veteran, Nomazano Winifred Madikizela-Mandela.

Madikizela-Mandela died in the early hours of Monday.

In a statement on Thursday, Acting President Chiwenga said he learnt of the death of the icon and stalwart of the African National Congress with deep shock and profound sorrow.

"On behalf of the Government and people of Zimbabwe, Zanu-PF party and on my own behalf, I wish to express our deepest condolences to Your Excellency and through you, to the Government and People of the Republic of South Africa, the ANC, as well as the Madikizela and Mandela families on the loss of this legendary heroine," said VP Chiwenga.

"The late Madikizela-Mandela will forever be remembered for her bravery and the numerous sacrifices she made in the epic struggle against the inhuman apartheid system, a struggle for which she suffered personal humiliation, house arrests, banishment, solitary confinement and prolonged disruption of family life."

VP Chiwenga said in spite of all the brutal attempts by the apartheid regime to break her resistance, Madikizela-Mandela remained strong and resolute.

She became the leader and personification of the internal opposition to apartheid.

In Madikizela-Mandela, Acting President Chiwenga said, Zimbabwe had a friend and comrade in arms to rely upon and he was consoled by the fact that she lived to witness the realisation of her dream of a free, democratic and non-racial South Africa.

"We are confident that South Africans, the ANC and her family find solace in the rich legacy that she has generously bequeathed to all of them as well as to those still fighting for liberation against the forces of oppression,' he said.