After serving as Deputy Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations from 2000-2004, Jeanette T. Ndhlovu was appointed as Consul-General of the Republic of South Africa to Los Angeles in October 2004.

Jeanette has not only handled the mammoth task of promoting South Africa she also engaged with representatives of other countries in the 14 Western States that fall under her jurisdiction. She transformed the image of the South African Consulate, which largely remained the same even after the new political dispensation in 1994.

She served her five-year term in Los Angeles with humility as an astute diplomat. She has made many friends and left a mark that will remain memorable in the minds of those who had an opportunity to cross paths with her.

Ms. Ndhlovu was appointed South Africa’s Ambassador to the Republic of Ghana where she commences her duties in the near future. She will, amongst other things, continue to focus her attention on South Africa’s Foreign Policy in Africa and strengthen the exiting bilateral relations between the two countries.

Here are some tributes from many whose lives she touched during her stay in California

Consul General Jeanette Ndlovu was in office in LA when a little South African film called Tsotsi took us all by surprise and won an Oscar. Through the madness of that crazy pre and post Oscar time, through all the publicity, press, PR and BS, Jeanette was our biggest fan and friend. She attended dozens of screenings. She knew the film by heart and yet showed up to support us at every festival and PR event within a hundred miles of LA. She made us feel proud to be South Africans and we were proud to be represented by someone with her warmth, charm and downright good fun nature.

Thank you, Jeanette. We will miss you!

Gavin Hood
Director Tsotsi

My friend the Honorable Consul General Jeanette Ndhlovu is truly a gem from Africa. She is more precious then diamonds and is a real treasure that has been a gift from Africa to the US in general and Los Angeles in particular. The people are better off as a result of her presence and work in this country. She has represented Africa admirably more so she exemplifies the best of mankind in her capacity as an Ambassador to the world. We will miss her greatly as the South African Consul General in Los Angeles although I believe her work for humanity is not done yet and we will see her in an even greater capacity.

Sincerely,
Darrell G. Smith
VP Marketing & Community Development
The Africa Channel

I am glad to say that the appointment of Jeanette Ndhlovu as South Africa’s Consul General in Los Angles was a true blessing. Over the years Consul General Ndhlovu has represented her country well in our community, and in general become a part of it. In addition to becoming well known in the southern California region, she has on a number of occasions made presentations on Africa and Africa-US relations on the UCLA campus and participated in various public forums. Jeanette Ndhlovu is a superb diplomat and I trust that she will remain active in such arenas.

Edmond J. Keller
UCLA Professor

“Consul General Ndhlovu made a great impact to the City of Los Angeles! She represented her country beyond expectations and brought to the Angelenos greater awareness of what South Africa represents in its region and on the international level. It takes a great diplomat to represent a country abroad, and even more so one that is as progressive and influential as Mr. Nelson Mandela’s homeland. The strength with which Consul General Ndhlovu has endured the many sacrifices during the time of apartheid in South Africa reflects the spirit of the South African people and is a great example to us all.

I wish Consul General the best in the continuation of her career as Ambassador of South Africa to Ghana.

With warm wishes,
Elga Sharpe
Chief of Protocol
City of Los Angeles

For Jeanette Ndhlovu, a dear friend and great representative for her wonderful country. You have shown incredible strength through adversity and are a shining example of a woman who never lets the trials of life get in her way. I am happy every time I see your wonderful smiling face and I am glad to call you my friend.

With best wishes,
Ingrid Hirstin Lazcano-Consular Relations
The Southern California Public Affairs Council

South African Consul General to Los Angeles, Consul Jeanette Ndhlovu is not just a Consul General of South Africa to Los Angeles, but an African Consul General to the United States of America. She has served and represented Africans in the United States more than any Ambassador I have ever known in my 29 years in Los Angeles. Jokingly, I called her the African Foreign Minister, and I meant it. We will miss her dearly from Los Angeles.

Agrippa Ezozo, Founder & President
African Diaspora Foundation

From a promising student to a bouyance Diplomat and a sincere and wonderful friend. South Africa and Mother Africa are Blessed to have this child in motion. Jeanette Ndhlovu’s legacy will live on forever. My friend, my sister, I love you.

Happy, Healthy & Prosperous 2010 & beyond.
Moza Cooper

Consul General Jeanette Ndhlovu truly made me feel as though “mi casa es su casa”. She was a fully engaging person who spoke of Belize as though she was born there. Her Excellency welcomed me with open arms and therefore I shall always remember and respect her. My wife joins me in accepting her apology for not “inviting us to her book signing”. Enjoy your next posting my friend.

Respectfully,

Hon. Roland Yorke
Consul General of Belize

Consul General Jeanette Ndhlovu, South African Consulate General, you have proven the skeptics wrong and accomplished what most said were impossible. You planted the seed; you watered the seed and then challenged us to nurture the seed. Reading your newly published book, No Time to Mourn, inspired a group of Northern California Humanitarians to support the South Africa flight by providing clean water systems to designated small villages in South Africa. On behalf of the first seed you planted, the Northern California Friends of South Africa, inspired from the water you provided, re-named the Nor-Cal Team Miracle H2o, organized and distribute portable clean water systems to South Africa that preserves the body and the environment.

Dr. Louis C. Langston, D.Hum
International Humanitarian

Firstly I would like to wish the Consul General Jeanette Nvdhlovu much success in her new posting and to say how much we will miss her.

I am on the Board of Directors of Bafta/LA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles) and Co-Chair of the Education and Outreach Committee. One of our programs we are very proud of is bringing the Art of Film to communities who are unable to see first run movies because of the lack of Theatres in their area and the troubling conditions of their environment.

We started a screening program at Helen Keller Park and have shown over 20 films over the past few years. One of the films was Tsotsi and another was Pride. Because Tstotsi was the Academy Award winning South African film and Pride was directed by South African director Sunu Gonera, I asked the Consul General if she would grace us with her presence at Helen Keller Park for these screenings.

Of course, she came without hesitation, to an area of Los Angeles that once was unsafe for even the local community to enter.

Her support of our programs and her faith in what we, as an organisation, are trying to accomplish and indeed have accomplished, through the arts, is and always will be deeply appreciated.

We look forward to a continuing relationship with the Consul General and wish her Godspeed in the next phase of her life’s journey.

All best wishes

Katy Haber
Board of Directors Bafta/LA
Co-Chair Education and Outreach Committee

To a wonderful woman and a wonderful friend. You will be sorely missed but I know that you are being guided by the Almighty God who holds you in the palm of his hand. He is all sovereign and all good. As an ambassador for your country may you also be an ambassador for Him. I speak for the committee of A Foundation for African Children Today (AFACT) as well as myself. We appreciate all of the support that you gave us in helping the children in Africa. Wishing you all the best.

Amanda Wash
AFACT

CONSUL – GENERAL JEANETTE NDHLOVU What a LADY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I once read in a publication that “God made women from an ancient stillness to fill a void in the world “. To me, that epitomizes Mrs. Ndhlovu !!!! Through her life servings , she has planted seeds of hope and courage at home and across the waters ! Her book , ” No Time To Mourn ” should be printed in a “coffee-table” hard copy format . I will always be grateful that I had the opportunity to meet and work with her.

Most sincerely,
Versie G. Burns , Ph.D.
Project Education International: U.S.A. / South Africa

Having a conscious, progressive veteran of the South African liberation struggle as the consul general in Los Angeles has been a real blessing. Without her, the motion picture “Tsotsi” might not have won the Academy Award. Her collaborations, outreaches and support has been incalculable in making Los Angeles a world class, sophisticated and cosmopolitan city. Her affects on the African diaspora in the city and country has been significant. We will miss you.

Love,

Ayuko Babu
Executive Director
Pan African Film Festival

Consul General Ndhlovu is inspiring, empowering, and very dedicated to her work, Africa, The World, and Humanity. She is a very graceful leader who faces challenges with grace and accepts success with admirable reticence. She will be missed”

Dr. Boatamo Mosupyoe
Professor and Director Pan African Studies Director ,Cooper -Woodson College Enhancement Program California State University Sacramento

“Representing an organization that has been a purveyor of news and events about Africa in the United States in the last 20 years, I must say that The African Times-USA is ably qualified to comment on contributions of diplomats who represent various African nations in the U.S, especially in Los Angeles where we are based. In all of our interactions within the African diplomatic circle these 20 years, I dare say that Honorable Jeanette Ndhlovu as Consul General for South Africa indeed set a record on how best to conduct diplomatic business with dignity, boldness, fairness and grace. Her accomplishments which earned her an Africa Achievement Awards in 2008 from our editorial board will for a long time serve as a benchmark for her other colleagues. We are therefore wishing her the very best that her chosen career has to offer, and I implicitly state here without any fear of contradiction that Honorable Ndhlovu, the author, activist, sister, mother and a proud Sowetan is yet another rare gem in South Africa’s rich treasure of human and natural resources”.

C. Charles Anyiam, Publisher/Editor-In-Chief
The African Times-USA

Jeanette Ndhlovu brings a human and humane touch to international diplomacy. Her willingness and ability to reach out to the everyday people of the community in which she is posted helps to make South Africa real to us in Los Angeles. She has opened doors for business endeavors and charitable activities. She has worked at and succeeded in strengthening.

Black Business Association’s President and CEO Earl “Skip” Cooper II

Congratulations to the Honorable Consul General Jeanette Ndhlovu; for outstanding courage and excellent leadership – in promoting the interests of South Africa during your tenure in Los Angeles. You accepted your challenge with dignity and firmness to mobilize resources for South Africa and uphold economic, social, and political rights for all South African people. You were an outspoken ambassador for health, culture, and education and understood that South Africa’s success and stability can only be achieved along with concerned friends. Best Wishes!

Bishop James L. Langston, Jr., B.Arch., D.D.
Hamilton Memorial Church / Ekklesia Ministries Int’l

When I first came to this place I did not know that I will work with the head of Mission that shares and embraces the same principles as I, who is a product of the movement that shaped my perception and out look towards humanity. Most significantly, a person who virtually exposes her staff to opportunities and enhances their personal growth and professional development. For that alone, I cannot stop thanking God for His amazing Grace”.

I will miss your energy, your creativity and colourfulness in every thing you lay your hands on or suggest in promotion of our country and the under pinning “Spirit of Obuntu”. You hate shoddy work and everything that lacks excellence and integrity. May you continue to flourish and touch the lives of the people you will interact with in ” Here in Ghana”. We will miss your warmth.

Kgopotso John (Mrs)
Vice-Consul

From a personal perspective over the past 18 months I came to know the CG as someone who places particular value on family life. She remained compassionate during the difficult time we as a family faced in 2008 when Isabel underwent chemotherapy and we were separated for lengthy periods of time. She was always willing to allow me to take leave at short notice to tend to my family in Canada during this time.

From a work perspective I came to learn that the CG was held in high regard by the people she interacted with in the performance of her official duties. On numerous occasions I had people mention to me on how they valued her commitment to portraying a positive image of SA. What I found noteworthy were her efforts to strengthen the unity amongst the African Diaspora in this part of the USA. She continually endeavoured to encourage closer cooperation with entities that were particularly supportive of working towards the betterment of our country.

Her interaction with prominent business, social and government leaders were marked by an air of confidence and as a speaker, the CG conveyed a sense of knowledge and understanding of the topic she spoke about whilst being at ease addressing questions arising from the topics she addressed.

She always displayed eagerness to promote SA and used every opportunity to do this. When it involved the 2010 World Cup, the CG became even more enthusiastic.

The CG’s tenure in LA will have a lasting impression on her staff and the people she came into contact with.

I wish her well with her new assignment.

Etienne Van Straaten
Consul

I had the pleasure of attending a function where the CG was a guest speaker to a group of High School female learners/students (what’s the US term?). This was barely weeks having arrived on my 4 year tour of duty. It also presented a perfect opportunity for me to witness the public speaking abilities, the first hand account of personal experiences shared by the CG and the powerful human rights message that was delivered.
What kept me spellbound throughout her address was the flawless and eloquent manner is which she delivered her message and the attentiveness that she enjoyed. The South African story of racial oppression, a bloodless transition, forgiveness, reconciliation, emancipation, liberation culminating in the drafting of a South African Constitution that pledges never to repeat the human atrocities of the past, is a story that the CG does us as a nation proud, in sharing with our brothers and sisters on the West Coast.

Sagie Chetty
Consul

The cultural aspect of our country shines every time you put together an event.
Your impeccable eye for detail will be missed.
You have touched the lives of so many.
Personally CG, I would like thank you from the bottom of my heart, may you go well.

Best regards,
Deborah Makena

Consul-General (CG) Jeanette Ndhlovu served at our Mission for five years. During her tenure she maintained an open door policy and encouraged staff members to participate in the decision-making processes and activities of the Mission.

The CG treated all staff members equally and insisted that respect be the basis of communication and interaction. She provided opportunities for staff members to develop their skills and talents. She is a kind person who cares about the needs and well being of others.

I congratulate and wish her well in her next posting.

Abbey Makena

Working with you for the last five years has truly been a wonderful and unforgettable experience.
Los Angeles won’t be the same.
Thank you so much for everything.
I wish you and your loved ones the best.

Best Regards,
Mathew Sebastian

As one of the staff members who have been with the Consulate for over 20 years, all I can say is, Consul-General Jeanette Ndhlovu can walk with kings and keep its virtue and talk to crowds while keeping the common touch – that’s diplomacy at its best.

Noemi

We are lucky to have a boss like you. A boss who is easy to work with, a boss who always reminds us that her doors are always open, a boss who can be strict but funny at times and most importantly, a boss who recognizes and appreciates even little work that we do. CG, we will miss you. We will miss your jolliness and the sound of your laughter (Go South Africa World Cup 2010!!!!) and I will definitely miss sending out articles to Foreign Exchange.

Connie (Ronquillo)

To our dear Consul-General, we always remember you for exemplifying Human Rights. We have no doubt that the African Continent will benefit from your wisdom. All the best as you make your mark in Ghana and beyond.

Our warmest wishes, Liza and Margaret

I have enjoyed a very cordial working relationship with you during your term of office in Los Angeles. You have not only ably represented South Africa’s interests on the West Coast, but also involved yourself in issues relating to the local African and African-American communities. The important relationships which you established with local and State representatives have already benefitted South Africa and will continue to do so. Your sunny personality and infectious laugh will be missed and I wish you everything of the best as you take on the new challenges of your appointment as South Africa’s next Ambassador to Ghana.

Very sincerely,
Marcia (Kay)

It was a great honor to have known Consul General Ndhlovu, the most competent and efficient representative of our country, South Africa. In deed, she made South Africa visible and respected. She is approachable, well mannered, professional, and she made all South Africans feel welcomed at the Consulate. Issues were attended to in a timely manner without any run around game. She’ll be sorely missed.

Alosi J. Moloi, Chair
Africana Studies Department, CSULB.
If we could find words to describe your contribution in elevating the image of Africa we couldn’t say enough. Your leadership in the Pan-African community coupled with your diplomatic representation of Africa leaves us with a road map for the future leaders coming out of the Continent. We thank God for making you part of us. May God Bless you in your new endeavors.

 

 Love always
Pamela & Charles Anchang
Publishers
The Immigrant Magazine