Middelburg – Njabulo Khuluse, one of the daughters of a prominent political figure, the steadfast former ambassador to the United States, Mninwa Johannes Mahlangu, addressed thousands of those who had come to mourn her father.
She shared how her father was against the idea of his children using his political influence and ties to navigate their path to success.
“Despite his political standing, he never allowed us to be privileged, greedy and complacent. He taught us the dignity of work, to work hard and be proud of our work, and to strive for excellence. Political connections were never our inheritance, character was,” said Njabulo Khuluse at the funeral service of her late father at Banquet Hall in Middelburg on Saturday, 06 September 2025.
Some of the dignitaries who had come to attend the funeral were Deputy President Paul Mashatile, NCOP chairperson Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, acting premier of Mpumalanga Speed Mashilo, Steve Tshwete mayor Mhlonishwa Masilela and traditional leaders.
“Instead he reminded us that each of us has a Divine purpose, and that purpose must be pursued with discipline, integrity and effort.”
The late ambassador, known as MJ, was given a dignified send off, a Category 2 State funeral. He was buried at the Heroes Acre cemetery in Middelburg.
He died on 24 August after a short illness. He leaves behind a loving wife, five children, three brothers and five sisters. MJ was graced with ten grandchildren. His absence will be profoundly felt by his family, friends, colleagues and comrades, as well as by all the lives he impacted throughout his journey.
Thousands of grieving attendees gathered to honour his memory.
Speaking on behalf of her siblings, Njabulo further described her father as a loving, generous, strict and hardworking.
“Father, your departure was not easy on us. But slowly we will begin to accept these new realities that God has entrusted us with. Our hearts are heavy, but we stand here today grateful for the gift of life we have shared with you. We are also grateful to God for the testimony of your life.”
Vuyelwa Mahlangu, representing the grandchildren, expressed that MJ was far more than simply the leader of the family. “He was our pillar of strength, our teacher, our protector and our gentle guide,” she said.
She reflected that he filled their lives with love, imparted valuable lessons, and set a shining example through the way he lived. “His voice echoes in our hearts, his values shape our choices and his spirit continues to inspire us every day. Though we feel the weight of his absence today, we also feel the strength of his legacy. Rest well Mkhulu, your journey on earth may be complete but your legacy of love and faith will live in us forever.”
His wife, Nomaswazi Mahlangu, expressed her heartfelt sentiments. “Absence from the body, is to be present with the Lord. And because you are with Him, I know you are more alive now than you have ever been,” she said. “That gives me hope, hope that anchors my soul. So goodbye for now my love. I will see you again before the throne of the one who wrote our story from the very beginning. Until then, I will love you still. I will serve God faithfully. I will let our testimony keep speaking, long after this chapter has closed.”
Beyond the tributes, many reflected on MJ Mahlangu’s extraordinary journey of over fifty years in public service. A passionate patriot rooted in humility and ubuntu, he played a pivotal role in South Africa’s democratic transition. In 1993, he joined the Transitional Executive Council, and after democracy was established in 1994, he served in various parliamentary committees.
His leadership path rose steadily. From 2002 to 2005, Mahlangu was Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), later led South Africa’s delegation to the Pan-African Parliament. He went on to chair the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association: Africa Region and was elected President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association International.
Between 2005 and 2014, he distinguished himself as chairperson of the NCOP, where he pioneered initiatives such as Taking Parliament to the People. Alongside the Speaker of the National Assembly, he also oversaw Parliament’s operations, security, budget and international representation.
In 2014, he transitioned to the Diplomatic Service, serving as South Africa’s Ambassador to the United States until 2019.
From 2020 until his passing, he represented South Africa as Ambassador to Kenya, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Somalia and Permanent Representative to the UN offices in Nairobi.
Yet even as he traveled the world representing South Africa, Mahlangu never drifted from his community roots. He believed that true leadership meant beyond politics.
He founded the Mninwa Mahlangu Foundation to support underprivileged schools and children, served as a trustee for the Paul Mthimunye Bursary Fund and launched a governance lecture series for South African universities.
In Middelburg, his home, he was a committed father and active member of the Steel Crest High School Governing Body.
In 2022, Mahlangu successfully guided the government’s negotiations with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, which led to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Delivering his eulogy, Deputy President Mashatile said the MoU committed government to localising global urban policies, embodying the critical pillars of the New Urban Agenda, and pursuing the targets set out in the sustainable development goals, in particular goal 11, for making all cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
“Ambassador Mahlangu was not satisfied with only the signing of the MoU. He worked tirelessly to secure our country’s place among the select countries hosting a fully operational UN-Habitat Country Office,” Mashatile said.
“This office, which will shortly open in South Africa, will serve as an important additional resource and route for our government to, among other things, assist in designing integrated, cross-sectoral urban interventions, strengthen the capacities of our national and local institutions,” Mashatile added.
