UNIS/BIO/776
8 February 2006

New Permanent Representative of South Africa Presents Credentials

VIENNA, 8 February (UN Information Service) -- The new Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations (Vienna), Leslie Mbangambi Gumbi, presented his credentials today to Antonio Maria Costa, Director-General, United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV).

Prior to his current appointment, Mr. Gumbi was serving as Deputy Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva (since February 2004).

Mr. Gumbi has served in many capacities in the course of his career, including as: Director, Non-Proliferation and Nuclear Matters, at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Pretoria, South Africa (2000-2004) and Counsellor, Permanent Mission of South Africa to the United Nations, New York (1996-2000).

Mr. Gumbi obtained his Master's Degree in Political Science and International Relations at Warsaw University in Poland. He is married and has five children.

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