President mourns passing of former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney

President Cyril Ramaphosa has conveyed his sadness at the passing of Brian Mulroney, the former Prime Minister of Canada and Esteemed Member of the National Order of the Companions of OR Tambo.

Mulroney, who served as Prime Minister from 1984 to 1993, passed away at the age of 84.

On behalf of government and the nation, President Ramaphosa offered his deep condolences to the government and people of Canada, especially Mulroney’s family on the passing of a leader who holds a special place in South Africa’s history. 

On Freedom Day 2015, Mulroney was honoured with the National Order of the Companions of OR Tambo (Gold) “for his exceptional contribution to the liberation movement of South Africa”. His steadfast support for the release of Nelson Mandela and for imposing sanctions on South Africa’s apartheid regime led to a free, democratic, non-sexist and non-racial South Africa.

President Ramaphosa said Mulroney led Canada during a critical decade in which the struggle for freedom culminated in the dismantling of apartheid.

“During his term, he spoke out against apartheid, advocated for the economic isolation of the regime and took a stand when many in the international community were wavering.

“For us, his passing is made profound by the fact that we have lost this friend and ally in the year in which we are marking 30 years of freedom and in which we pay tribute to all those around the world who supported our struggle for freedom and democracy. May his soul rest in peace,” President Ramaphosa said. – SAnews.gov.za