President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a Special Official Funeral Category 2 funeral for the late Ambassador and former Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu.
The 72-year-old Mahlangu, who passed away last Sunday on his way to a South African hospital following a short illness, will be laid to rest in Middelburg, Mpumalanga.
He held the positions of High Commissioner to Kenya, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Somalia, and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON). He is also a former Ambassador to the United States.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa offers his deep condolences to the Mahlangu Family as well as the many colleagues, comrades, and associates with whom Ambassador Mahlangu engaged during his distinguished career.
“Ambassador Mahlangu was instrumental in the drafting of South Africa’s democratic Constitution and served in the first Parliament.
“President Ramaphosa has declared that Ambassador Mahlangu will be honoured with a Special Official Funeral Category 2 which will entail ceremonial honours performed by the South African Police Service” said Ramaphosa spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya.
Furthermore, the President has also directed that the national flag be half-masted at all flag stations from Saturday morning, until the evening of the funeral on Saturday, 6 September 2025.
Mahlangu was a part of the group that drafted the country’s post-apartheid constitution and was elected to the first democratic Parliament in 1994.
Meanwhile, International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Ronald Lamola, has described Mahlangu as a dedicated family man, public servant, whose legacy is one of unwavering dedication and love for his country.
“Ambassador Mahlangu was a true patriot whose love for our country shone through in the way he went about executing our foreign policy.
“May his memory be a source of comfort during this difficult time. His loss is deeply felt by all who knew him and by the nation he served so faithfully,” remarked Lamola.
“Meanwhile, the Presiding Officers of Parliament, National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza and National Council of Provinces Chairperson Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, have also offered their condolences at the passing of Mahlangu.
“Throughout his tenure, ‘MJ’ distinguished himself as a champion of cooperative governance, intergovernmental relations, and the representation of provinces in national decision-making. His ability to build consensus, his humility in leadership, and his deep belief in participatory democracy left an indelible mark on the institution of Parliament,” said the Presiding Officers.
