By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) minister Ronald Lamola has announced the passing of SA High Commissioner to Kenya Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu.
Fullview learnt Mahlangu passed away on 24 August 2025, on his way to a South African hospital after a short illness.
“It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, announces the untimely passing of a dedicated family man and public servant, Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation said in a statement.
“His legacy was one of unwavering dedication and love for this country. Heartfelt condolences to the family of ambassador Mahlangu,” said Lamola.
Mahlangu was the SA High Commissioner to Kenya, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Somalia, and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON).
His public and political life started in the late 1960s when he was elected President of the Student Christian Movement, in the then Eastern Transvaal.
Between 1991 and 1994, he was a negotiator at the Congress for Democratic South Africa (CODESA) and the Multiparty Negotiation Forum.
After the 1994 elections, he joined the National Assembly in Parliament for the ANC. As a member of the first democratic Parliament, he became a member of the Constitutional Assembly (CA), the body tasked with the drafting of the SA Constitution. As a member of the CA, he chaired the Core Group of the Theme Committee and the Theme Committee on Structures of Government.
During his tenure as a Member of the National Assembly, he also served as Chairperson of Committees. In 2002 he was elected permanent Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP). After the third democratic elections in 2004, he was re-elected permanent Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP.
In January 2005 he was elected the Chairperson of the NCOP. He has represented South Africa in many international Conferences and Seminars such as the Study of the Role of the Senate, Germany in 1995; the Study of Intergovernmental Relations, India in 1999; Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Conferences; Inter Parliamentary Union 2003; Speakers’ Conference, New York in 2005; 18th Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers’ Conference.