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The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Hon Lindiwe Sisulu, has extended her condolences and those of the DIRCO family, to the family and friends of the former Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations (UN) in New York, Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo, who passed away on Sunday, 21 January 2019.
Minister Sisulu said Ambassador Kumalo has left a rich legacy as a multilateralist. “South Africans must celebrate the contribution Ambassador Kumalo made in the fight against apartheid during his years in exile in the United States, which culminated in the UN Security Council recognising apartheid as a crime against humanity. Ambassador Kumalo played an important role in promoting multilateralism and a strengthened and reformed United Nations. At a time when multilateralism is under threat, his experience is wisdom will be sorely missed,” said Minister Sisulu.
Ambassador Kumalo served as Permanent Representative of South Africa to the UN in New York from 1999 to 2009. During his ten-year tour of duty, Ambassador Kumalo held many prominent positions at the UN. He will mostly be remembered for representing South Africa during its first tenure on the UN Security Council from 2007-2008. Ambassador Kumalo also served as Chairman of the ECOSOC-Ad Hoc Advisory Groups on Guinea Bissau and Burundi; Co-chair for the establishment of the UN Human Rights Council; and Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the Group of 77 plus China (G77) at the United Nations.
He will also be remembered for having mentored many young diplomats at DIRCO Head Office and those deployed to the Permanent Mission to the UN In New York.
Details of memorial service and funeral will be communicated during the week.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
