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Lenin Shope died in Senegal (Twitter, Dirco South Africa)
The South African ambassador to Senegal, Lenin Magigwane Shope, has died at his residence in Dakar.
In a statement released by the presidency on Saturday, it said Shope died within the week, but did not elaborate on the cause of his death.
Shope had represented South Africa in several countries, including Cuba, Botswana, Italy, and Australia.
He was educated in Cuba from 1976 to 1986.
“Our country and one of our distinguished revolutionary families have lost a son who dedicated himself to achieving our freedom and establishing and deepening South Africa’s democratic relations with our global partners.
“His early life in Cuba shaped the worldview and passion with which Ambassador Shope promoted the interests of South Africa, and especially the betterment of the lives of ordinary South Africans, through his diplomatic career.”
Therefore, we share this loss with the government and people of Cuba who adopted the young Lenin Shope as one of their own and endowed South Africa with a disciplined cadre and an outstanding patriot.
President Cyril Ramaphosa sent his condolences to the ambassador’s mother, Gertude Shope, a stalwart of the struggle who served as president of the ANC Women’s League and as a deputy in South Africa’s first democratic parliament.
Ramaphosa also sent his condolences to Shope’s brothers, Lyndall Shope-Mafole, and to the South African ambassador to Cuba, Thaninga Shope-Linney.
His father was Mark Shope, a trade unionist and exiled member of MK who, upon his return to South Africa, founded what is now known as the Communication Workers Union. He died in 1998.
