International relations

Mbeki sends condolences to Zambia

21 August 2008

President Thabo Mbeki has expressed his condolences to the people and government of Zambia following the death of President Levy Mwanawasa at the Percy Military Hospital in Paris, France, on Monday.

"The government and people of South Africa and indeed the entire Southern African Development Community (SADC) region are deeply saddened to learn of the untimely death of our brother and leader … President Levy Mwanawasa," he said in a statement issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs this week.

"Coming in the wake of the recently concluded SADC Summit held in Johannesburg, the peoples of our country and region will most certainly miss his invaluable contribution to the region’s political and economic development."

Mbeki said that the region had to commit to building upon the foundations laid down by Mwanawasa during his tenure as the SADC chairperson. These included deepening regional economic integration, intensifying regional infrastructure development, as well as strengthening regional political unity and cohesion.

As Zambian president, Mwanawasa gained a reputation for tackling corruption, reducing government expenditure and reducing external debt.

Stroke

Mwanawasa suffered a stroke on 29 June this year, while attending the African Union Heads of State Summit in Sharm-el-Sheik in Egypt.

After initially being admitted to the Sharm-el-Sheik International Hospital, he was transferred to the Percy Military Hospital in Paris, France, on 1 July. It is believed that Mwanawasa was making steady progress until Sunday, when his condition changed for the worse.

"The people of South Africa and indeed the entire SADC region, accordingly, extend their heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Zambia and to his widow Maureen Mwanawasa and the children," Mbeki said.

SAinfo reporter