Veteran opposition leader and former prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai died last night after succumbing to cancer of the colon at Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre in Johannesburg. He was 65. His allies, former allies and rivals all seem united in mourning.
Here is how some politicians reacted to his death:
A PEOPLE'S HERO inspires supporters & challenges detractors to make a better society. As such a hero, #MorganTsvangirai enabled deeply divided Zimbabweans to see the link & difference between hard won #INDEPENDENCE & #DEMOCRACY; based on free, fair & credible elections. #RIPSave pic.twitter.com/Xv5wRhLrFz
— Prof Jonathan Moyo (@ProfJNMoyo) February 15, 2018
https://twitter.com/PresidentKE/status/963886470615445504
To live in the hearts of others is never to die. Your memory will forever be in the hearts of Zimbabweans. You fought a good fight, RIP Save😞 pic.twitter.com/ZGYDWoLbTi
— Saviour Kasukuwere (@Hon_Kasukuwere) February 14, 2018
https://twitter.com/gen_chiwenga/status/963873108938588161
https://twitter.com/BitiTendai/status/963994335237885958
Although he has been unwell we are in shock at the passing of Tsvangirai, a true democrat who fearlessly stood up to the Mugabe regime and was an inspiration to many. Although we may have differed politically I held a deep respect for MT. My condolences to his family.MHDSRIEP🙏🏽
— Sabhuku Temba P. Mliswa (@TembaMliswa) February 14, 2018
Leaders have people that respect and admire them even outside their Parties, as a result the passing of MT is a blow to the Nation at large and MDC should be aware that the country is in mourning too
— Sabhuku Temba P. Mliswa (@TembaMliswa) February 15, 2018
The decision on whether to confer MT with National Hero status should not be based on ZANUPF affinity but rather on his status as an icon for democracy to the Nation
— Sabhuku Temba P. Mliswa (@TembaMliswa) February 15, 2018
The colossus of the struggle for democracy in Zimbabwe & beyond has fallen! The people's hero is gone. May your dream materialize in our lifetime. Thank you for making me believe that change is possible, the courage & to fight for it, & an opportunity to. RIP Morgan Tsvangirai pic.twitter.com/ztNH6phu3D
— Jessie F. Majome (@JessieFMajome) February 14, 2018
Devastated! Numb!
— Prof. Welshman Ncube (@Welshman_Ncube) February 14, 2018
A sad day indeed. MT is gone. A great Zimbabwean. A committed patriot. An exemplary leader. A distinguished fighter for democracy and social justice. MHSRIP.
— Prof. Arthur G.O. Mutambara (@amutambara) February 14, 2018
Rest in peace #MorganTsvangirai true hero of #Zimbabwe. You have fought the good fight. pic.twitter.com/0ikGStdV1N
— David Coltart (@DavidColtart) February 14, 2018
Whilst Morgan Tsvangirai undoubtedly is a hero of heroes and deserves this status more than most it is unlikely that ZANU PF will confer that on him. Generally they confer that honour on those who believe in violence or the obscenely corrupt and MT was neither of those. https://t.co/CNsQMIeK8w
— David Coltart (@DavidColtart) February 15, 2018
The tragic passing on of Pres MT is a huge blow to the party and the nation. As a party of excellence, we will unite,be disciplined & honour our HERO.A special Executive meeting @ 10.Presser @ 11am Harvest house.
— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) February 15, 2018
Morgan Tsvangirai deserves to be declared a national hero – that’s if the national shrine is dedicated to those who contributed to building the great nation that is Zimbabwe, those who believed that our best days are ahead of us & those who were prepared to fight for the dream.
— Fadzayi Mahere🇿🇼 (@advocatemahere) February 15, 2018
1/2 RIP @mrtsvangirai. It has been 26 years since I first worked with you in 1992. From the trenches of the trade union movement of ZCTU to serving as your Deputy President in the MDC for the past 12 years, I can truly say you, Mr President, are a true democrat.
— Dr Thokozani Khupe (@DrThoko_Khupe) February 15, 2018
2/2 @mrtsvangirai was a gallant son of the soil who defeated the Zanu -PF regime for the first against all odds and gave a better life to all Zimbabweans. He shall be sorely missed but never forgotten. May his gallant soul rest in eternal peace.
— Dr Thokozani Khupe (@DrThoko_Khupe) February 15, 2018
The EFF sends revolutionary condolences on the passing of MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai
May his soul rest in power! pic.twitter.com/tvsMGIzwoY
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) February 14, 2018
When a good thing is done wrongly it does not make it a bad thing. MRT is a national hero in my books, period!
— Shingi Munyeza (@ShingiMunyeza) February 15, 2018
Watching news with great sadness. Zimbabwe has suffered a tragic loss tonight. Morgan Tsvangirai was a beacon of hope for so many during Zimbabwe’s darkest days. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/5ojWlPsEaQ
— Catriona Laing (@CatrionaLaing1) February 14, 2018
Morgan Tsvangirai represented courage and determination in the face of oppression, and gave ordinary Zimbabweans faith to believe in the future. He was one of the bravest political leaders of his time and will be sadly missed.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) February 14, 2018
https://twitter.com/chimurengamusic/status/963983462100189186
https://twitter.com/chimurengamusic/status/963983929823789057
Photo from when Morgan Tsvangirai, Zimbabwe's leading opposition politician and his delegation visited me in the States. Morgan spent much of his adult life opposing the murderous Mugabe. Fortunately, Mugabe didn't do him in– cancer did. RIP pic.twitter.com/cfXs1tNy5W
— Steve Hanke (@steve_hanke) February 14, 2018
https://twitter.com/KirstyCoventry/status/963917664656678912
lts very sad to hear that Chamisa and Mudzuri cannot even unite during this painful time of the passing on of Mr Tsvangirai, but they are busy with their feud. You are a disgrace to the people of Zimbabwe.