A tribute to a champion of S Africa's democracy

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to former DA chief whip and ambassador Douglas Gibson, who passed away at the age of 82 on Friday.

- MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

Ramaphosa said Gibson, as a veteran of South Africa’s political transition in 1994, will be remembered for his service as a Member of Parliament, chairperson of the then Democratic Party federal council, chief whip of the opposition, and as a senior member of the Democratic Alliance.

“I extend my condolences to Mr Gibson's political home, the Democratic Alliance. As our ambassador to Thailand for four years until 2012, Douglas Gibson flew our flag and built strong relations with Thailand, bringing our two nations closer together in a variety of mutually beneficial ways,” he said.

DA leader John Steenhuisen said: “On behalf of the Democratic Alliance, I would like to formally extend our deepest condolences to the friends and family of a great South African, Douglas Gibson,’ Steenhuisen said.