South Africa opens first full diplomatic post in 50 years

A promise made by Mandela 14 years ago finally bears fruit

CRAIG SIMCOX/The Dominion Post

TIES THAT BIND: Newly-appointed South African high commissioner Anthony Mongalo wants to see New Zealand companies developing trade with the African continent.

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A promise made by former South African president Nelson Mandela to set up a full diplomatic post in New Zealand has finally been realised with the appointment of high commissioner Anthony Mongalo.

"It has been a long time," Mr Mongalo said, referring to the undertaking Mr Mandela made during his 1995 state visit to New Zealand.

Mr Mongalo said South Africa's post-apartheid government had had other priorities - such as setting up missions in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

The veteran diplomat, who has been a member of the African National Congress for more than 50 years, said it was better late than never. Besides, it was the first African country to set up a mission in New Zealand.

He was determined to strengthen political, economic, cultural and sporting relations to the benefit of both countries. He wanted to see New Zealand companies, such as Fonterra, developing trade with the continent through South Africa.

He said he was pleased that former Commonwealth secretary- general Don McKinnon would be heading a New Zealand delegation to President Jacob Zuma's inauguration next month.

Mr Mongalo, who has been based in Canberra since 2003, has visited New Zealand regularly. He met his New Zealand-born wife Lillian - who is of Tainui descent - when she was teaching in Zambia in the 1960s.

At the time he was the ANC's representative in Italy. Their two sons are New Zealand-born - Lillian travelled home to give birth to ensure they could claim Kiwi citizenship and both now live in Auckland.

Although he is 72, Mr Mongalo said he had no plans to make Wellington his last post. His appointment was for four years and after that he would be happy to serve where his country wanted him.

The high commission has opened in temporary offices on Lambton Quay but expects to move to new offices in the State Insurance tower in the next few months.

Until now South Africa has had only consular representation in New Zealand.

The former white South African government opened a consulate in Wellington in 1962. It was a focus of anti-apartheid protest, particularly during the 1981 Springbok rugby tour, and was shut in 1984 under threat of closure by the Lange Labour government.

Consular relations reopened in 1987 with the appointment of Gregory Fortuin as honorary consul.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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Grant McKenna   #1   06:25 am May 08 2009

I think that Gregory Fortuin was appointed honorary consul in 1997, not 1987.

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