Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka broke a significant barrier in 2005 when she became the first woman to hold the office of Deputy President of South Africa. Appointed by President Thabo Mbeki, she served until 2008, capping a career that bridged grassroots activism, legislative reform, and high-level international governance focused on human rights and gender equality.
Early Career and Education
Born in Durban in 1955, she earned a bachelor's degree in social science and education from the National University of Lesotho in 1980. She later obtained a master's degree in philosophy from the University of Cape Town in 2003 and a doctorate from the University of Warwick in 2013, focusing on teacher development. In the 1980s, she worked as a teacher in KwaZulu-Natal before moving to Geneva to serve as Youth Director for the World Young Women's Christian Association. She later managed development organizations in Cape Town and founded her own consulting firm, Phumelela Services.
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After joining the National Assembly in 1994, she chaired the Public Service Portfolio Committee and served as deputy minister in the Department of Trade and Industry. As Minister of Minerals and Energy from 1999 to 2005, she introduced the 'use it or lose it' policy, which expanded mining rights beyond established firms to previously disadvantaged populations. During her term as Deputy President, she focused on poverty reduction and economic growth. She resigned in September 2008 following the resignation of President Mbeki. A subsequent investigation by the Public Protector cleared her of any wrongdoing regarding the Oilgate scandal involving PetroSA and the African National Congress.
United Nations Leadership
In 2013, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed her as the Executive Director of UN Women, a position she held until 2021 with the rank of Under-Secretary-General. During her tenure, she oversaw the launch of the HeForShe campaign and supported the Elsie Initiative to increase female participation in peacekeeping missions. Her international contributions were recognized in 2022 with the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun.
Fast facts
- Born: 3 November 1955, Durban
- Citizenship: South Africa
- Education: University of Cape Town, National University of Lesotho
- Role: Deputy President of South Africa (2005-2008)
- Role: Executive Director of UN Women (2013-2021)
- Religion: Christianity
- Award: Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun (2022)
- Award: Honorary doctor, University of the Witwatersrand (2003)
Questions readers ask
What was the 'use it or lose it' policy?
Implemented during her time as Minister of Minerals and Energy, this policy revoked the perpetual mineral rights held by large mining firms, making those rights available to a broader segment of the population.
Did she face any political controversies?
She was associated with the 'Oilgate' scandal involving PetroSA funds, but a formal investigation by the Public Protector cleared her of any involvement or wrongdoing.
