Mr. Sipho Seakamela was born in Pretoria, South Africa on 14 January 1980.

He graduated from the University of Pretoria, South Africa in 2001 with a BA Degree in Political Sciences and BA Degree (Hons.) in International Relations at the same University. Following that, he continued with his studies (Masters) with the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg at the Faculty of Politics and International Relations.

Upon completion of his academic work, Mr. Seakamela joined the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) in 2001, where he worked for three years as a Researcher. While at SAIIA, Sipho published research work and served as radio and television analyst on key issues of international relations.

Mr. Seakamela joined the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation as Foreign Service Officer in 2004. He worked at the Branch: Multilateral focusing on humanitarian issues. In 2006, he was promoted to the rank of Assistant Director and posted to the South African Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York as First Secretary: Political.

During his tenure at the South African Permanent Mission between 2006 and 2010, Mr. Seakamela was part of the South African chairmanship of the G77 & China in 2006 as well as the historic non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council in 2007/08. He was in charge of peace and security issues including peacekeeping, special political and decolonization, cooperation between African Union and UN as well as African issues on the UNSC agenda.

Sipho is married to Teboho and they are blessed with three sons.

Contact information:

Tel: +1-212 963 0991
e-mail: seakamela @un.org