Ramaphosa hails late Bapedi king for striving to lead his people on path to economic prosperity – HeraldLIVE

President Cyril Ramaphosa said the country had lost a measured voice of reason and shining example of traditional leadership in Bapedi king Thulare Victor Thulare III, who died of Covid-19 related complications.

Thulare, 40, died a week ago, less than a year since he ascended to the throne.

It is with a deep sense of grief that we pay our last respects to Victor Thulare III, said Ramaphosa at Thulares funeral in Limpopo on Sunday.

The kingdom is once again engulfed by a very dark cloud. It was not so long ago when we welcomed the reign of a promising new leader. The passing of Kgoshi kgolo Thulare the third, who was so youthful, so visionary, so promising, so far-sighted and so full of life, has shaken our very being. We mourn with the royal family and the entire kingdom over this great loss.

He said those who came before Thulare, bravely fought against colonialism, oppression, the theft of their land and unjust taxation of their people without representation.

In his veins, he carries the blood of resistance. As he is embraced by his distinguished ancestors on this side, we are left weeping.

As government we convey our deepest sympathies and condolences to the royal family and the people of this province for this great loss.

Ramaphosa said while the government wanted to give Thulare a funeral befitting his status, it was constrained by the coronavirus pandemic.

It was this pandemic that prevented my planned visit to the king and to the royal household early in January. This visit was meant to be part of the commemoration of the formation of the ANC on January 8, in which the kings and the chiefs of this country played such a central part.

The time will come when we will be able to pay tribute to our loved ones. For now let us be safe and save lives. This pandemic has changed so much in our lives.

As we lay the king to rest, the country is in the midst of a second wave of the coronavirus infection, far more greater and vicious and for more destructive than what we experienced before. Many more people are infected, Ramaphosa said.

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Ramaphosa hails late Bapedi king for striving to lead his people on path to economic prosperity - HeraldLIVE