By Montsho Matlala
Middelburg – Long-serving South African diplomat and former National Council of Provinces chairperson, Ambassador Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu, will be laid to rest in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, on Saturday.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has granted Mahlangu a Special Official Funeral Category 2, acknowledging his role in drafting South Africa’s Constitution and serving in the first democratic Parliament in 1994.
Ramaphosa also directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast until the evening of the funeral.
Mahlangu, 72, died two weeks ago after a short illness while travelling from Kenya to South Africa.
Affectionately known as MJ, Mahlangu served as High Commissioner to Kenya, Ambassador to Somalia, and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Nairobi.
Plans were reportedly under way to appoint him South Africa’s ambassador to the United States before his passing.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola described him as “a versatile and astute diplomat.”
Mpumalanga Legislature Speaker Makhosazana Masilela said Mahlangu was “a reservoir of knowledge for the legislative sector and an internationalist of note.”
Mahlangu began his career as a furniture salesman in Groblersdal before entering the Lebowa homeland parliament in the 1980s.
After the unbanning of the ANC, he worked with leaders such as Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and the late Nelson Diale to establish ANC branches in Sekhukhune.
He is remembered not only as a veteran politician but also as a champion of isiNdebele language education in his home district.
