Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka

At-a-Glance

Served as the first woman Deputy President of South Africa from 2004 to 2008.
Held the role of Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women from 2013 to 2021.
Founded the Umlambo Foundation, which supports leadership and education.
Served as Minister of Minerals and Energy (1999-2005) and Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry (1996-1999).
Completed a PhD on education and technology from the University of Warwick in 2013.
Began her career as a teacher and established a global program for young women at the World YWCA in Geneva.

Biography

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka is a South African politician and former United Nations official. She served as the Executive Director of UN Women with the rank of Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations from 2013 to 2021. Prior to her international role, she made history as the first woman Deputy President of South Africa, serving from 2004 to 2008.