Statement on the Appointment of Mr Kingsley JN Mamabolo as Deputy Director-General: Africa, Department of Foreign Affairs

The Minister of Foreign Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma announces the appointment of Ambassador Kingsley Mamabolo as the new Foreign Affairs Deputy Director-General: Africa, to replace Welile Nhlapo, with effect from1 June 2002. Ambassador Mamabolo is South Africa's current Permanent Representative to the OAU.

Ambassador Mamabolo has had a distinguished career in international relations, dating back to 1978 when he was appointed Deputy Head of Mission of the African National Congress (ANC) in Tanzania. In 1984, he was appointed as Head of Information and Publicity of the ANC Mission in Zimbabwe. In 1985, he was appointed as ANC Deputy Head of Mission in Zimbabwe. Between 1987 and 1989 he served as ANC Head of Mission in Maputo, Mozambique. During 1993-94 he was Head of the ANC Mission both in Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Upon his return to South Africa, after eighteen years in exile, he joined the Department of Foreign Affairs. In 1995 he was appointed as the first High Commissioner of democratic South Africa to the Republic of Zimbabwe. After completing his term of duty in 1999, in Zimbabwe, he was appointed South Africa's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary accredited to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; the Republic of the Sudan; and the Republic of Djibouti. During the same period he served as South Africa's Permanent Representative to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

As Deputy Director-General: Africa, Ambassador Mamabolo will take overall responsibility for the coordination and management of South Africa's bilateral relations in Africa, and its participation in African regional organisations. He will assume his new responsibility at Head Office with effect from 1 June 2002.
The Minister takes this opportunity to congratulate Ambassador Mamabolo on his appointment, and wish him well in the execution of his duties.

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853

Issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs

07 May 2002