Ogata was a Japanese academic and diplomat who served as the first female United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees from 1991 to 2000.

Ogata died on October 22, in Tokyo. She was aged 92.

Ramaphosa said Ogata was "a devoted international citizen who took the reigns as UN High Commissioner for Refugees during one of the world’s most difficult periods, following the end of the Cold War, a period characterized by the displacement of large numbers of civilians". 

He said under Ogata’s leadership between 1991 and 2000, the UN High Commission for Refugees played an important role not only in relation to the resettlement of displaced persons affected by conflicts but also in broadly shaping the UN’s approach to the question of the management of international migration. 

Ramaphosa recalled that Ogata was the recipient of South Africa’s national award, the Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo in Silver, awarded for “her achievement in the eradication of apartheid, negotiated settlement and contributing to the development of post-apartheid South Africa and the development of the African continent”.

"Ms Ogata came to South Africa at the end of 1991 to head the UN delegation to the Codesa multiparty talks that enabled a peaceful and orderly democratic transition in South Africa and where she was a permanent observer. It was during this time that Ogata met Nelson Mandela and other leaders of the anti-apartheid struggle," said Ramaphosa.

"In the early 1990s, as the leader of the UN observer mission to Codesa, Ms Ogata assisted in repatriating African National Congress (ANC) cadres who were in exile."

Ramaphosa said the people of South Africa will remember Ogata fondly for the role that she played in South Africa and other countries navigating challenges associated with conflict.

African News Agency