SA's high commissioner to Kenya Mninwa Mahlangu passes away at 72

CAPE TOWN - The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has announced the passing of South Africa’s high commissioner to Kenya and ambassador to Somalia, Mninwa Mahlangu.

He died on Sunday as he was making a return to South Africa to seek medical assistance after a short illness.

Mahlangu once served as South Africa’s ambassador to the United States and was also previously the chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).

Affectionally known as "MJ", Ambassador Mahlangu was part of the group that drafted the country’s post-apartheid Constitution and was elected to Parliament in 1994.

He served as ambassador to the US between 2015 and 2020.

In his latest posting in Kenya, the 72-year-old Mahlangu was also South Africa’s permanent representative to the United Nations office in Nairobi.

International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola said that Mahlangu has left a legacy of unwavering dedication to the country.

Lamola’s spokesperson, Chrispin Phiri: "Ambassador Mahlungu was a true patriot whose love for our country shone through in the manner in which he went about executing our foreign policy."

Meanwhile, Parliament’s presiding officers said that Mahlangu also displayed exemplary parliamentary leadership before taking on his diplomatic career.

Parliamentary spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo: "He distinguished himself as a champion of cooperative governance, inter-governmental relations and representation of provinces in the national decision-making processes."

Government and Parliament have extended their sympathies to Mahlangu’s family.