Media Statement
1 March 2024
President Ramaphosa mourns passing of former Prime Minister of Canada, Brian Mulroney
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his sadness at the passing of Mr Brian Mulroney, former Prime Minister of Canada and Esteemed Member of the National Order of the Companions of OR Tambo.
Mr Mulroney, who served as Prime Minister from 1984 to 1993, has passed away at the age of 84.
On behalf of Government and the nation, President Ramaphosa offers his deep condolences to the government and people of Canada and especially Mr Mulroney’s family on the passing of a leader who holds a special place in South Africa’s history.
On Freedom Day 2015, Mr 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: “Prime Minister Mulroney led Canada during a critical decade in which our struggle for freedom culminated in the dismantling of apartheid.
“During his term, he spoke out against apartheid, advocated 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”.
Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President – media@enquires.gov.za
Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria