By 
PRETORIA — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has formally extended his deep condolences to the government and citizens of Zimbabwe following a devastating ferry accident on Lake Kariba that claimed dozens of lives.
The diplomatic message of support comes in the wake of an August 11 tragedy on the major inland body of water, where a ferry carrying scores of passengers capsized. Zimbabwean authorities have confirmed that at least 44 people died in the incident. Emergency services and specialized aquatic rescue teams were deployed to the scene to conduct search operations and assist survivors.
In an official statement issued on August 13, President Ramaphosa expressed his sympathies on behalf of the South African government and its citizens to the grieving families.
“As South Africans, we stand in solidarity today with the nation of Zimbabwe as we mourn this extensive loss of life,” Ramaphosa stated. “We wish survivors a speedy recovery and we pay tribute to the emergency services who are working tirelessly to support and bring closure to affected families and communities.”
The President emphasized that South Africa’s thoughts remain with the survivors recovering from the catastrophe and with the families who continue to await the outcome of ongoing search and recovery operations on the lake.
The expression of solidarity highlights the close regional ties between the neighbouring Southern African nations during times of crisis.
