<oogbomo@alleg.edu>
Date:     Wed, 10 Sep 1997


This is to inform the Africanist community of the passing  of
Dr. Samuel C. Nolutshungu, professor of political science and
African politics at the University of Rochester, Rochester, N.Y.
He  died of Cancer on Tuesday, August 12, 1997 at Strong
Memorial  Hospital in Rochester. He was 52.

Professor Nolutshungu specialized in comparative politics,
African studies and international relations. His publications
include _South Africa in Africa: A Study in Ideology and
Foreign  Policy_(Manchester,  Manchester University
Press,1975), _Changing  South Africa: Political Considerations_
(Manchester,   Manchester  University Press,1982),  _Southern
Africa in a Global Context:  Towards a Southern Africa Security
Community_ (SAPES Books, 1994),  _Limits of Anarchy:
Intervention and State Formation in  Chad_(Charlottesville,
University of Virginia Press, 1996) and  _Margins of
Insecurity: Minorities and International  Security_(Rochester,
University of Rochester Press, 1996).

In December 1996, Sam was appointed vice chancellor of the
University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, which is South
Africa's  most prestigious academic institution. His
appointment was hailed  by many within and outside South
Africa. In an editorial titled "A  Man for the Times," South
Africa's _Business Day_  on October 30,  1996 declared "The
nomination by the selection committee of  Professor Sam
Nolutshungu as the next vice chancellor of Wits  University
gives that august but riven institution a fresh  opportunity to
move into the 21st century as a centre of excellence  sensitive
to the needs of the society it serves.." The paper went to
state that "Nolutshungu's background is one which many who feel
 alienated from the existing academic establishment can be
comfortable with. A student activist forced into exile on an
exit  permit to further his academic career, he has "made good"
at  universities in Africa, the UK and the US."  Unfortunately
in  January this year he declined the post for health reasons.

In spite of Sam's academic and international recognition,  he
remained a humble individual. As one of his closest South
African  friends remarked early this year, "None of his
achievements in the  world of scholarship has gone to his
head." He was a well-balanced  man, who could speak eloquently
about the accomplishments of others  but almost never about his
own. Many friends will remember him for  his amazing humility
and outstanding generosity.

He was always ready to render a helping hand in matters
academic and otherwise. As  another long-time friend aptly
remarked:  Professor Nolutshungu "is that kind of person you
would go to when  you need good practical advice." He surely
will live in the memories  of his family and friends as a
person who developed a high sense of  social responsibility and
deep religious convictions. He is  survived by his wife Veli
and two daughters, Nomvuyo and  Nomalungelo, all of Pittsford,
N.Y.; and a brother, Peter, of East  London, South Africa. A
funeral mass was held for him on Saturday,  August 16, 1997 at
St. Louis Church, Pittsford, NY. He was buried in  South
Africa.

Please all letters of condolence should be sent to:
        Mrs. Veli Nolutshungu
        c/o Department of Political Science
        University of Rochester
        Rochester, N.Y. 14627.

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