tributes

Former President Edgar Lungu has passed away at the age of 68 while receiving medical care in South Africa. His untimely departure has cast a pall over the nation, igniting a flurry of emotions among citizens who once rallied behind his leadership. Lungu ascended to the presidency in 2015, taking the helm as Zambia's sixth head of state. His tenure was characterized by ambitious infrastructure developments, from sweeping road projects to new schools and hospitals. Yet, it was also a time when Zambia's financial burdens…

In a poignant moment for South Africa’s artistic community, the nation is collectively mourning the loss of actor Presley Chweneyagae, who tragically passed away at the young age of 40. His untimely departure leaves a palpable void, both onscreen and off. Chweneyagae first captured global attention in 2005 with his compelling portrayal in the Oscar-winning film Tsotsi. This gripping narrative not only showcased his exceptional talent but also served as a stark reflection of the social disparities and hardships faced in…

The world of theater has lost one of its luminaries. Athol Fugard, the internationally celebrated South African playwright, novelist, director, and actor, passed away at the remarkable age of 92, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy that continues to influence and inspire. His work has penetrated hearts and minds across the globe, delving deep into the complex tapestry of human experience and social justice. Fugard’s body of work is nothing short of monumental. His plays, rich with emotion and insight, reflect the…

Tributes are flooding in for Tito Mboweni, the former Governor of the Reserve Bank and South Africa's Labour and Finance Minister, who sadly passed away following a brief illness. He was 65 years old. Mboweni's political journey began in South Africa’s first democratically elected Cabinet, where he held the position of Minister of Labour from 1994 to 1999. He later took the helm as the Governor of the South African Reserve Bank, serving from 1999 until 2009. His tenure in government culminated in his role as Minister of…

Pravin Gordhan, the former minister and notable anti-apartheid campaigner, has passed away. His legacy is celebrated for his unwavering integrity, exceptional leadership, and courage in combating state capture. Gordhan held the position of Minister of Finance for two significant periods: first from 2009 to 2014, and then again from 2015 to 2017. He also took on the role of Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs from 2014 to 2015, followed by his service as Minister of Public Enterprises from February…

Guadeloupe guitarist Jacob Desvarieux, who died on Friday as a result of Covid-19, was one of the founders of the group Cassav ', a monument in the French Caribbean that achieved huge success in the 1980s by mixing local music to create a style, Zouk. At the age of 65, Jacob Desvarieux was hospitalized on July 12 after being…

Zambia has declared 21 days of national mourning following the death of father Kenneth Kaunda on Thursday at the age of 97. And tributes follow each other from especially southern Africa. Like Zambia, South Africa has declared a period of national mourning: ten days of immediate effect in memory, says Cyril Ramaphosa, of…

La Grande Île paid tribute to its former president Didier Ratsiraka, before being buried in Antananarivo's mausoleum. The funeral procession of the former president stopped at the end of the morning at Iavoloha State Palace, a palace he had also built in 1975. An official ceremony with the current head of state, Didier Ratsiraka's family, relatives, members of his AREMA party and the diplomatic corps…

Lakhdar Bouregaa, 87, was infected with coronavirus. This independence veteran was also a figure for the Hirak protest movement calling for a change in the system at the head of the country. Lakhdar Bouregaa was highly respected by the youth of Hirak. They saw in him a bridge between the 1954 revolution to end colonization and…