Luanda - The Angolan ambassador to South Africa, Rui Orlando Xavier, on Tuesday delivered the Letters of Credence to President Cyril Ramaphosa, in a ceremony that took place at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest House in Pretoria.
The Angolan diplomat was the eighth on a list of 23 recently appointed Heads of Mission from countries in Africa, Europe, America and Asia.
Letters of Credence are official diplomatic documents presented to the President by designated Heads of Mission who have been appointed by their respective governments to serve as ambassador to a particular country.
Before being appointed to the post of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Angola to South Africa, Rui Orlando Ferreira de Ceita da Silva Xavier performed the same duties in Japan.
The diplomat will fulfil the same duties as non-resident ambassador of the Republic of Angola to the Kingdom of Lesotho and Madagascar.
In South Africa, Angola has Consulates General in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Biographical Data
Rui Orlando Xavier, born in Luanda, graduated in International Relations from the Luís de Camões University in Portugal.
A diplomat since 1976, he is Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Angola to the Republic of South Africa.
He was Angola's Ambassador to Japan from 5 November 2018 to 15 June 2023. He also served as Minister Counsellor at the Angolan Embassy in Portugal from 15 December 2003 to 15 July 2011 and as Counsellor at the Angolan Embassy in Italy from 15 December 1993 to 15 June 1998.
He was Director of the Multilateral Affairs Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Head of Department at the Africa and Middle East Directorate and the Europe Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He is married to Maria de Fátima Xavier and in his spare time he reads, follows sport, loves films and music.
Before being appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Angola to South Africa, Rui Orlando Ferreira de Ceita da Silva Xavier performed the same duties in Japan. SC/DAN/DOJ
