By OBAKENG MAJE
The heartfelt condolence messages continue to pour in after the death of Iranian President, Ayatollah Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and personnel. Raisi died when their helicopter crashed in East Azerbaijan, while the leaders were en route back to Iran on 19 May 2024.
The president of the Republic of South Africa (RSA), Cyril Ramaphosa said is deeply saddened by the air disaster that has claimed lives. Ramaphosa said on behalf of the government and people of South Africa, he offered his deep condolences to the Supreme Leader of Iran, The Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, and the government and people of the Islamic Republic.
“Our thoughts are with the families of the late President and Foreign Minister, as well as the relatives of the personnel and air crew who perished. I, as Deputy President, paid a working visit to Iran in November 2015.
“This is an extraordinary, unthinkable tragedy that has claimed a remarkable leader of a nation with whom South Africa enjoys strong bilateral relations and whom we were honoured to welcome to the BRICS fold in Johannesburg in 2023,” he said.
Ramaphosa further said their hearts go out to the affected families and the administration of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He added that they are with Iran in this moment of mourning.
TaungDailyNews 