Minister of Foreign Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma expressed her condolences, on behalf of President Thabo Mbeki, on Sunday at the death of British Labour Party MP Robin Cook (59).
”The government and people of South Africa are saddened and shocked to learn of the untimely death of that stalwart of British politics, Robin Cook,” she said in a statement.
”The people of South Africa have indeed lost a dear friend and a hero.”
She said Cook played a major role in strengthening and consolidating political and economic relations between South Africa and Great Britain.
”He also played a pioneering role in developing solidarity between Africa and the G8.”
French News Agency Agence France Presse reported that the former British foreign secretary and leader of the House of Commons, who quit Prime Minister Tony Blair’s government in protest over the Iraq war, died on Saturday after collapsing while out walking on a Scottish mountain. – Sapa