President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday expressed his “profound and sincere condolences” to King Charles III on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Queen Elizabeth II, passed away on Thursday, at the age of 96, and was the longest-reigning monarch in the United Kingdom.

Ramaphosa said South Africa’s thoughts and prayers were with The Royal Family, the government and people of the United Kingdom as they mourned.
 
"Her Majesty was an extraordinary and world-renowned public figure who lived a remarkable life. Her life and legacy will be fondly remembered by many around the world. The Queen’s commitment and dedication during her 70 years on the throne remains a noble and virtuous example to the entire world,” said Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said Ramaphosa last met the Queen at the 2018 Commonwealth meeting, in London, where they spent some time looking at letters that former President Nelson Mandela had sent her. Magwenya said the President and the Queen reminisced about Mandela, who she respected enormously.

Democratic Alliance federal chairperson Dr Ivan Meyer said during Queen Elizabeth’s “extraordinary reign” over 70 years, she was known for her sense of duty and her devotion to a life of service.

Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said the party did not mourn her death because it is a reminder of a “tragic period” in the country and Africa’s history.

“Britain, under the leadership of the royal family, took over control of this territory that would become South Africa in 1795 from Batavian control and took permanent control of the territory in 1806. From that moment onwards, native people of this land have never known peace nor have they ever enjoyed the fruits of the riches of this land, riches which were and still are utilised for the enrichment of the British royal family and those who look like them,” said the EFF.

The party went on to state that Queen Elizabeth’s family plundered India, using the East India Company, and took control and oppressed the people of the Caribbean Islands.

The EFF said Queen Elizabeth was a “proud flag bearer” of these atrocities during her reign.

“When the people of Yemen rose to protest against British colonialism in 1963 Elizabeth ordered a brutal suppression of that uprising,” the party said, adding that during her reign as Queen she did not acknowledged the “atrocities that her family inflicted on native people that Britain invaded across the world”.

The EFF said the Queen benefited from the wealth that was attained from the exploitation and murder of millions of slaves who were shipped away from the continent to “serve the interests of racist white capital accumulation, at the center of which lies the British royal family”.

“If there is really life and justice after death, may Elizabeth and her ancestors get what they deserve,” said the party.