Flag dips for Dumisani Khumalo

THE ANC said it had “learnt with sadness” of the passing of ambassador Dumisani Khumalo, who served South Africa diligently as diplomat to the UN.

“The ANC dips its revolutionary flag and extends its condolences to his family, friends as well as to his fellow comrades in the struggle for liberation of the oppressed,” said acting national spokesperson Zizi Kodwa.

Narrating the Struggle activist’s life, Kodwa said Khumalo was forced into exile because of his anti-apartheid activities.

While on asylum in the US, he continued his political activities as a project director at the American Committee on Africa and its sister organisation the Africa Fund from 1979 to 1997. Khumalo played a key role in the mobilisation of US sanctions against the apartheid regime.

His actions culminated in the racist regime being hauled to the UN Security Council in the 1980s.

He distinguished himself as a diplomat par excellence when the consolidation of the African Agenda found expression in the multilateral sphere which entailed a report on how the UN could assist in the resolution of conflicts.

Khumalo was first deployed to the UN in 1999 and returned home a decade later following the country’s successful tenure as a non-permanent member of the Security Council.

The 71-year-old ambassador passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday.