Cord leader Raila Odinga has paid tribute to the late Zimbabwean opposition leader and former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, who died on Wednesday in a Johannesburg hospital at age 65 after a long battle with cancer.

Odinga has celebrated Tsvangirai as a great leader who championed democracy, freedom and justice for his country.

“I have learnt of the passing of former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai with deep sorrow. Morgan dared to dream of democracy, freedom and justice for his country and his people despite the firm hands of dictatorship that held sway.

I pray that the party he founded, the MDC, will hold firm and pursue the ideals he lived for. My family, our party the Orange Democratic Movement and the National Super Alliance join Mr. Tsvangirai’s family, the MDC and the people of Zimbabwe in mourning his death,” Odinga said in his tribute.

Tsvangirai was the boldest opponent to longtime leader Robert Mugabe.

BRAVE CHAMPION OF DEMOCRACY

Leaders across the globe have celebrated Morgan Tsvangirai for his bravery in championing democracy in the face of oppression.

 “Morgan Tsvangirai represented courage and determination in the face of oppression, and gave ordinary Zimbabweans faith to believe in the future. He was one of the bravest political leaders of his time and will be sadly missed” Boris Johnson, us Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs.

MNANGAGWA PROMISES FREE ELECTIONS IN HONOUR OF TSVANGIRAI

Zimbabwe’s president Emmerson Mnangagwa has promised free and fair elections in honour of Tsvangirai.