HARARE, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabweans and the international community on Thursday mourned opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai who succumbed to colon cancer in a South African hospital Wednesday.
From senior government officials to ordinary people on the streets, Zimbabweans expressed grief over the death of Tsvangirai who has been the face of opposition politics in Zimbabwe since 1999 when he founded his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party.
"The MDC family mourns with the Tsvangirai family over the unexpected loss of an icon, a unifier, a peacemaker, a fighter, a brave leader and somebody who was principled.
"We are really grieving over this sudden loss. It is not only a loss to the MDC family but a loss to Zimbabwe and the whole of Africa," said MDC parliamentarian Tapiwa Mashakada.
He said his death was a huge blow to the party but indicated that his demise does not signify the end of the struggle for democracy in Zimbabwe.
"In actual fact, we have to strive to make sure that the ideals that he fought for are achieved. So it's just a continuation of the struggle so that his legacy remains," he said.
Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday mourned the death of Tsvangirai, saying he would be accorded a state-assisted burial while lauding him as a fearless fighter for the rights of workers and democracy in his later life as a politician.
Zimbabwe Vice President Constantino Chiwenga said he was saddened by Tsvangirai's death, who he described as a son of the soil.
"We are saddened by the death of MT, we will sit and see how Zimbabweans can honor that great son of the soil," Chiwenga said on Twitter.
The U.S. Embassy in Harare expressed its deep condolences over Tsvangirai's death and said it hoped his spirit and determination would help carry the country forward to a brighter future.
The European Union delegation in Zimbabwe also mourned Tsvangirai, saying it was saddened by his demise. It said Tsvangirai will be remembered as a great trade unionist and a courageous man who stood up for multi-party democracy and justice in Zimbabwe.
Former ZANU-PF politician and government minister Saviour Kasukuwere said Tsvangirai's legacy will remain etched in the hearts of Zimbabweans.
"It is a great loss. We had hoped that Tsvangirai, even while sick, would continue to be with us and give us strength in our fight for democracy in Zimbabwe," said Edmore Murove, who was among scores of party supporters gathered at party headquarters in the capital to mourn Tsvangirai.
Tsvangirai, a former trade unionist, formed his MDC party in 1999, a party that was to become Zimbabwe's major opposition party post-independence in 1980.
He died aged 65 in South Africa Wednesday after battling colon cancer since 2016.
Tsvangirai's death comes at a time when his party is rocked with infighting by the party's three deputies who are vying to succeed him, and comes a few months before polls scheduled for mid-2018.
Tsvangirai was the presidential candidate for the broader MDC Alliance, a coalition of seven opposition parties seeking to challenge the ruling ZANU party in the polls.
