South Africa's envoy to Kenya Mninwa Mahlangu dies after short illness

South Africa' High Commissioner to Kenya, Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu has died, aged 72, the International Relations Ministry has said.

His demise occurred on Sunday, August 24, after a short illness.

International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola confirmed the death of the 72-year-old diplomat who was on his way to a hospital back in South Africa when he breathed his last.

Lamola described the deceased envoy as a dedicated family man and public servant who combined firmness with compassion.

“Ambassador Mahlangu was a true patriot whose love for our country shone through in the manner in which he went about executing our foreign policy,” the minister said.

Known as “MJ,” Mahlangu was born in Middleburg, Mpumalanga, starting his public life as a student activist before taking a central role in shaping South Africa’s new democratic order.

He was part of the team that drafted the post-apartheid constitution and became one of the first members of the democratic parliament in 1994.

He went on to serve as Deputy Chairperson and later Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, where he built a reputation for consensus-building in leadership.

His political and diplomatic skills later took him onto the international stage, representing South Africa in various foreign postings.

Over the years, Mahlangu held key diplomatic posts including High Commissioner to Kenya, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Federal Republic of Somalia, and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON).

He also served as South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States of America, a role in which he helped strengthen bilateral ties between Pretoria and Washington.

“Ambassador Mahlangu was a true patriot whose love for our country shone through in the manner in which he went about executing our foreign policy,” said Lamola. 

His work in advancing peace, cooperation, and development on the African continent left a lasting imprint on South Africa’s foreign policy.