Respected SA ambassador Dumisani Kumalo dies aged 71

Paying tribute to Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo, international relations and cooperation minister Lindiwe Sisulu said at a time when multilateralism was under threat, his experience and wisdom would be sorely missed.
Paying tribute to Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo, international relations and cooperation minister Lindiwe Sisulu said at a time when multilateralism was under threat, his experience and wisdom would be sorely missed.
Image: Africa Insights/Twitter

Lindiwe Sisulu, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, on Monday paid her respects 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 died on Sunday.

Born in September 1947, Kumalo left a rich legacy as a multilateralist, she said.

“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 Sisulu.

Ambassador Kumalo served as Permanent Representative of South Africa to the UN in New York from 1999 to 2009. During his 10-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 to 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 (G77), plus China (G77), at the United Nations.

He will also be remembered for having mentored many young diplomats at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) head office and those deployed to the Permanent Mission to the UN in New York.

Details of Kumalo’s memorial service and funeral will be communicated during the week.

Meanwhile, tributes are also being shared on social media.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.