Directors-General as Ambassadors to China and the EU
19 March 2006
Tshwane - President Thabo Mbeki has appointed two Foreign Affairs Deputy
Directors-General, Ndumiso Ntshinga and Dr Anil Sooklal, as Ambassadors to
China and the European Union (EU) respectively with effect from 1 April
2006.
In this regard, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, has
expressed her confidence in the ability of the two Ambassadors to continue to
build the necessary partnerships with a view to attracting foreign direct
investments requisite to ensure a faster and shared economic growth in South
Africa.
It is Minister Dlamini Zuma's view that bilateral political and economic
relations with China and the European Union have been established and
accordingly the two Ambassadors task is to consolidate and strengthen these
strategic relations with the South Africa.
Ndumiso Ntshinga is a former Deputy Chief of Mission in the South African
Embassy in Washington, a term served under then Ambassador Franklin Sonn. He
also served as former African National Congress (ANC) Chief Representative in
Australia during the struggle against apartheid. He is currently the Head of
the Europe and Americas branch of Foreign Affairs.
Dr Anil Sooklal, who will also serve as South Africa's Ambassador to Belgium
and the Luxembourg is the current Head of the Middle East and Asia branch at
the Department of Foreign Affairs. He previously served in the South African
Embassies in India and Geneva.
Simultaneously the Director-General of Foreign Affairs, Dr Ayanda Ntsaluba
welcomed Jerry Matjila, Deputy Director-General who served as South Africa's
Ambassador to Brussels, back to Foreign Affairs Headquarters in Pretoria.
The Director-General expressed his conviction that the return of Jerry
Matjila to Headquarters will add invaluable expertise and experience to the
management of the Department of Foreign Affairs in Pretoria. Jerry Matjila will
now serve as Head of the Asia and Middle East Branch of the Department of
Foreign Affairs.
Enquiries: Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
19 March 2006
Source: SAPA
