The late Johannes Mahlangu.
(The Post News)– South Africa mourns the passing of Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu, its High Commissioner to Kenya,.Mahlangu passed away on August 24, 2025, after a brief illness. Reports indicate that he died while being transported to a hospital in South Africa, leaving behind a distinguished legacy in diplomacy and public service.
In response, Minister of Justice Ronald Lamola of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) expressed profound sorrow. He described Mahlangu as a devoted family man and a committed public servant.
Diplomatic Service and International Representation
Ultimately, Mahlangu’s influence extended well beyond South Africa’s High Commission in Kenya. Moreover, Mahlangu served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Somalia and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON).
Through these roles, he consistently promoted South Africa’s interests, attending international conferences and forums to strengthen diplomatic ties across the region and the world.
For instance, in 1995, he participated in a German study on the Senate’s role, and in 1999, he contributed to an Indian study on Intergovernmental Relations. He also attended the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Conferences and the 2003 Inter-Parliamentary Union sessions.
Later, in 2005, he represented South Africa at the Speakers’ Conference in New York and the 18th Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers’ Conference, collaborating with global peers to promote parliamentary best practices.
He was praised by Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mathapo for his steady leadership and commitment to strengthening the NCOP’s constitutional mandate.
Political Leadership and Democratic Contributions
Looking back, Mahlangu began his public life in the late 1960s as President of the Student Christian Movement in the then Eastern Transvaal. Mahlangu’s early leadership marked the start of a lifelong commitment to service and political engagement.
Between 1991 and 1994, he played a key role in South Africa’s historic democratic transition, participating in the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) and the Multiparty Negotiation Forum. During these negotiations, he helped dismantle apartheid and lay the groundwork for a democratic South Africa.
Following the country’s first democratic elections in 1994, he assumed a seat in the National Assembly as a member of the African National Congress (ANC). At the same time, he joined the Constitutional Assembly tasked with drafting South Africa’s new Constitution.
There, he chaired both the Core Group of the Theme Committee and the Theme Committee on the Structures of Government. Consequently, his leadership ensured that the Constitution upheld principles of accountability, equity, and good governance.
Throughout his parliamentary career, he chaired several major committees. Notably, he became permanent Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in 2002 and retained this role after the 2004 elections.
Subsequently, in January 2005, he advanced to Chairperson of the NCOP, overseeing legislative processes and strengthening intergovernmental cooperation nationwide.
Legacy and Remembrance
Colleagues and peers remember Mahlangu as a man of integrity, dedication, and vision.Furthermore, he consistently balanced domestic responsibilities with international representation, advocating for South Africa’s interests while fostering dialogue and cooperation.
Ultimately, his impact extended beyond formal titles. Across decades of service, he nurtured institutions, built relationships, and contributed significantly to South Africa’s democratic and diplomatic achievements. His legacy endures in the policies he shaped, the institutions he strengthened, and the generations of leaders he inspired.
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