Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Interrupts Visits to London Following Death of Her Sister in Law

Durban - Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, who was scheduled to address the London Solidarity Conference in the UK on 3-4 June, returned to South Africa with President Thabo Mbeki from Washington on Thursday 2 June 2005 following yet another bereavement in her family in a period of two weeks.

Mrs. Fikile Dlamini, 36yrs, the sister in law of Minister Dlamini Zuma, passed away after a short illness on Tuesday 31 May 2005 in Durban, Kwazulu-Natal. Fikile Dlamini was a worker at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital at Umlazi near Durban. She is survived by her husband Sibusiso Dlamini, younger brother of Minister Dlamini Zuma.

Fikile Dlamini will be buried on Saturday 4 June 2005 at the Wiggins Road Cemetery, in Chesterville Township, Durban, following a church service starting at 09h00 at The Full Gospel Church, D Section, Umlazi Township, outside Durban.

The thoughts and prayers of Deputy Ministers, the senior management and the entire staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs are with Minister Dlamini Zuma and the entire Dlamini family during this time of bereavement.

On behalf of President Thabo Mbeki, the government and people of South Africa, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Sibusiso- the husband, Minister Dlamini Zuma and her siblings, Hlobisile, Mondli, Nomusa and Bablo.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082 990 4853
Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
3 June 2005