President conveys condolences at the passing of struggle stalwart Mendi Msimang

President Cyril Ramaphosa has been saddened by the passing away of struggle stalwart and former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Mr Mendi Msimang, who passed away earlier today, Monday 3 December 2018, following an extended illness.

The President extends his personal condolences and those of government and the governing party to the family, friends, comrades and associates of Mr Msimang in South Africa and internationally among whom Mr Msimang was highly regarded. Mr Msimang served as the London   representative of the African National Congress in the 1960s and almost three decades after his tenure, in recognition of Mr Msimang’s role in the United Kingdom, he was appointed by President Nelson Mandela in the democratic dispensation as High Commissioner to that country.

President Ramaphosa said: “Today we bow our heads and hearts in remembrance of our beloved Tat’ uMendi Msimang in whom South Africa has lost a servant-leader and patriot of great distinction. Tata Msimang was strong of character and principle, which he conveyed with humility and kindness.

“With his passing, he joins a gallery of extraordinary South Africans who have bid us farewell in recent months and years and whose passing should inspire all of us to appreciate are our history more, and to honour their legacy with unstinting work for a better future.”

Details of memorial events will be communicated following consultation among government, the Msimang family and the African National Congress.


Media enquiries: Khusela Diko, Spokesperson to the President, on +27 72 854 5707

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria