Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka is a prominent South African politician and global advocate for gender equality. She served as the first woman Deputy President of South Africa under President Thabo Mbeki and later held the influential position of Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UN Women. Throughout her career, she has been a leading figure in the African National Congress and a champion for women's rights and youth development on the international stage.

Early Life and Education

Born in Claremont, Durban, she pursued her higher education at the University of Lesotho, which later became the National University of Lesotho. She furthered her studies in the United Kingdom, earning a Master's degree in Planning and Administration from the University of Warwick. Her early career was in education, where she worked as a teacher and later became a coordinator for the Young Women's Christian Association in Geneva.

Career

Her political career began with her involvement in the African National Congress during the struggle against apartheid. Following the first democratic elections in South Africa, she was elected as a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly. She held several ministerial portfolios, including Minister of Minerals and Energy in the cabinet of President Thabo Mbeki. In 2005, she was appointed Deputy President of South Africa, a historic position she held until 2008. After her tenure in national government, she shifted her focus to global advocacy, founding the Umlambo Foundation to support education and leadership. Her international profile led to her appointment by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as the head of UN Women.

Personal Life

She is married to Bulelani Ngcuka, the former National Director of Public Prosecutions for the National Prosecuting Authority and a key figure in the establishment of the Scorpions investigative unit. The couple has children and maintains a residence in South Africa. Her family has been involved in various legal and political spheres within the country, and she is known to be a committed member of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa.

Achievements and Recognition

She has received numerous accolades for her work, including honorary doctorates from institutions like the University of Stellenbosch and the University of the Western Cape. She was awarded the Women of the Year award by the Glamour magazine and has been recognized by Forbes as one of the world's most powerful women. Her leadership at UN Women was pivotal in launching the groundbreaking HeForShe solidarity campaign, championed by Emma Watson. She also played a crucial role in establishing the African Women Leaders Network and advocating for the Generation Equality Forum.

Leadership Roles

Beyond her national and UN roles, she has held significant positions in various international bodies. She served as a member of the High-Level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda convened by the United Nations. She has also been a board member for organizations such as the International Crisis Group and the World Wide Web Foundation. Following her term at UN Women, she was appointed as the Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg. She continues to influence global policy as a member of the Elders, the group founded by Nelson Mandela, and chairs the International Olympic Committee's Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commission.