Nkomo blazed academic trail
Former diplomat a keen mentor
BORN: March 25 1936 DIED: March 23 2017 Aubrey Xolile Nkomo was born in Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape. He was the son of Stephen Dumezweni and Virginia Cikizwa Nkomo.
He studied at Fort Hare University (1957-1959) until he was expelled for political activity on behalf of the ANC Youth League. He had joined the ANC in June 1950, aged 14.
He proceeded to the University of Natal in Durban (19601961) and obtained a BA degree in politics, psychology and economics. He received a BA (Hons) degree in political economy and international relations from the University of Reading in Britain, Berks, United Kingdom (1962-1964).
Nkomo also studied Italian government and politics at the University of Rome (1962). He pursued further study at Syracuse University, New York, and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US, thanks to a Fulbright scholarship and a grant by the US government .
From 1965 to 1967, he was a research assistant with the Greater London Council, Borough of Wandsworth, UK.
His work experience in the United States included administrative and teaching assignments at various universities and colleges.
He held several positions in the United Nations including being a member of the Secretariat, political affairs officer and liaison officer in the department of political affairs and was a consultant with the Centre against Apartheid in the department of political and security council affairs of the United Nations Secretariat.
Upon his return to South Africa, he became senior adviser to the late Alfred Nzo, then minister of foreign affairs.
The appointment of Nkomo to this important post was due to his outstanding knowledge in economics and international relations and his experience in the United Nations.
In March 1997 he was appointed the country’s ambassador to Argentina and later served as a nonresident ambassador to Paraguay and Uruguay.
He is credited with training diplomats at various levels and being a mentor to many cadets.
Nkomo, who was buried last week in Johannesburg, is survived by his wife Barbara Blenman, a brother, sister and the Nkomo clan.