South Africa’s newly appointed Ambassador to the Republic of Angola, Thembelani Waltermade Thulas Nxesi, has officially taken up his diplomatic responsibilities in Luanda, marking the beginning of a new chapter in relations between South Africa and Angola.
Ambassador Nxesi arrived in Angola on 10 August 2026 and presented his Letters of Credence to H.E. President João Lourenço on 12 August 2026 during a formal ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Luanda.
His arrival comes as South Africa and Angola continue to strengthen their longstanding bilateral relationship, with cooperation spanning political, economic, social and cultural spheres.
Experienced political and diplomatic leader
Ambassador Nxesi brings extensive experience in government, organised labour, education and political leadership to his new diplomatic assignment.
He holds degrees in Education and Arts, a Higher Education Diploma and a Master’s degree in Public Management and Development from the University of the Witwatersrand.
His public career began during the struggle against apartheid, when he was actively involved in student and education activism. He played an important role in the development of the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) and served as its General Secretary from 1995 to 2009.
Between 2001 and 2009, Nxesi also held international leadership responsibilities within Education International, serving first as Vice-President and subsequently as President.
His experience in organised labour placed him at the intersection of education, workers’ rights and international engagement, providing a foundation for his later political and governmental career.
From Parliament to national government
In 2009, Nxesi was elected to the South African Parliament as a member of the African National Congress (ANC). During his parliamentary tenure, he served as Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperative Development.
In 2010, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform, before entering Cabinet in 2011.
Over the following years, Nxesi served in several ministerial portfolios, including:
- Minister of Public Works: 2011–2017
- Minister of Sport and Recreation: 2017–2018
- Minister of Public Works: 2018–2019
- Minister of Employment and Labour: 2019–2024
His years in national government provided extensive exposure to economic policy, infrastructure, employment, public administration and international relations.
Nxesi has also held senior leadership responsibilities within the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP).
Strengthening South Africa-Angola relations
As South Africa’s Ambassador to Angola, Nxesi has committed to strengthening the longstanding historical relationship between the two countries.
The diplomatic relationship between South Africa and Angola is underpinned by a shared history of solidarity and cooperation, particularly during the liberation struggles in Southern Africa. Today, that historical relationship provides a foundation for expanding practical cooperation across a broad range of sectors.
During his tenure, Ambassador Nxesi is expected to place particular emphasis on strengthening cooperation in areas including agriculture, arts and culture, education, health, industrial development and mining.
Angolan authorities have similarly identified strategic areas for closer bilateral cooperation, including agriculture, energy, infrastructure and tourism, while emphasising the importance of existing bilateral mechanisms, particularly the South Africa-Angola Binational Commission.
Economic diplomacy at the centre of the mission
A key priority of Ambassador Nxesi’s tenure will be economic diplomacy, with a focus on identifying new opportunities for trade, investment and business cooperation between South Africa and Angola.
Both countries possess significant economic potential and complementary areas of expertise. Strengthening commercial links could support increased investment, partnerships between businesses and greater movement of goods, services and skills between the two markets.
For South Africa, Angola represents an important market in Lusophone Africa, while South African companies have established interests and capabilities across several sectors relevant to Angola’s development priorities.
The ambassador’s focus on economic diplomacy therefore provides an opportunity to translate the longstanding political relationship between Pretoria and Luanda into expanded commercial and investment partnerships.
A new chapter in bilateral cooperation
Ambassador Nxesi’s appointment brings to Angola a senior South African political and public-sector figure with decades of experience in government, labour, education and international engagement.
His tenure is expected to build on the historical bonds between South Africa and Angola while placing greater emphasis on practical cooperation and shared economic opportunities.
With agriculture, education, health, mining, industrial development, culture and investment among the areas identified for deeper engagement, the new ambassador’s mission comes at an important time for the continued development of South Africa-Angola relations.
As Ambassador Nxesi begins his tenure in Luanda, his mandate will be to strengthen the bilateral relationship, deepen political and institutional cooperation and help unlock new opportunities for trade, investment and economic partnership between South Africa and Angola.
