"We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today," professor Stephen Hawking's children, Lucy, Robert, and Tim said in a statement passed by Britain's Press Association news agency.
"Sidumele kakhulu ngokudlula emhlabeni kukababa wethu okumenele namhlanje," kusho izingane zikaSolwazi Hawking, uLucy, uRobert, noTim kusho isitatimende esishicilelwe kwiPress Association News Agency.