Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka Biography: Political Party, Husband, Children, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Height

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka is a distinguished South African politician and former United Nations official.

She made history as the first woman to serve as Deputy President of South Africa from 2005 to 2008, becoming the highest-ranking woman in the nation’s history.

Her tenure focused on poverty alleviation and women’s empowerment.

Additionally, Mlambo-Ngcuka served as the Executive Director of UN Women from August 2013 to August 2021, where she played a key role in advancing gender equality and women’s rights globally.

Profile

• Full Name: Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
• Stage Name: Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
• Born: November 3, 1955
• Age: 69 years old
• Birthplace: Clermont, South Africa
• Nationality: South African
• Occupation: South African politician and former United Nations official
• Height: Unknown
• Parent: Mr. and Mrs. Mlambo
• Siblings: Bonga Mlambo
• Spouse: Bulelani Ngcuka
• Children: Luyolo
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $1.5 million

Early Life And Education

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka was born on November 3, 1955, in Clermont, KwaZulu-Natal, in the Union of South Africa. She was raised by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mlambo, and has one brother, Bonga Mlambo. While he was associated with the “Oilgate” scandal, the allegations against him were later cleared.

Mlambo-Ngcuka pursued higher education, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in social science and education from the National University of Lesotho in 1980, followed by a master’s degree in philosophy from the University of Cape Town in 2003, focusing on educational planning and policy.

Her educational journey continued with a doctorate from the University of Warwick in 2013, further solidifying her academic credentials. In 2014, she was awarded an honorary doctorate from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. She is of Zulu ethnicity, which reflects her strong South African heritage.

Career

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka began her career as a teacher in KwaZulu-Natal before transitioning into activism against apartheid. From 1984 to 1989, she worked with the World Young Women’s Christian Association in Geneva as Youth Director, where she advocated for youth job creation and development education across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

She was also the first president of the Natal Organisation of Women and founded the Young Women’s International Programme, focusing on human rights, gender equality, and social justice.

In 1994, Mlambo-Ngcuka became a Member of Parliament in South Africa’s first democratic government, chairing the Public Service Portfolio Committee. She held various ministerial roles, including Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry and Minister of Minerals and Energy.

During her tenure, she promoted economic equality and women’s empowerment. Mlambo-Ngcuka also served as a member of the African National Congress (ANC) ‘s national executive committee and vice-chairperson of the ANC in the Western Cape.

Mlambo-Ngcuka’s tenure as Minister of Minerals and Energy was tainted by the “Oilgate” scandal, in which a state-owned company paid a private company linked to the ANC.

Despite the scandal, she was appointed Deputy President of South Africa by President Thabo Mbeki in 2005, becoming the first woman to hold the position. Her leadership focused on poverty alleviation and ensuring that people experiencing poverty benefited from South Africa’s economic growth.

In 2008, after Mbeki resigned due to internal party pressure, Mlambo-Ngcuka and the rest of the South African cabinet. She briefly joined the Congress of the People (COPE) before returning to the ANC. In 2013, Mlambo-Ngcuka was appointed Executive Director of UN Women, where she served for two terms.

She worked on advancing gender equality globally and served on various advisory boards, including the World Bank Group’s Advisory Council on Gender and Development. After leaving UN Women in 2021, Mlambo-Ngcuka played a significant role in global peace initiatives.

In late 2022, she mediated peace negotiations between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, leading to a peace agreement in Pretoria. Throughout her career, Mlambo-Ngcuka has remained a prominent advocate for women’s rights, social justice, and peace.

Social Media

• Twitter handle: @phumzileunwomen

Personal Life

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka is married to Bulelani Ngcuka, who served as South Africa’s first National Director of Public Prosecutions. Together, they have five children, four of whom are adopted.

Their son, Luyolo, is one of their children. The family has remained relatively private, but their commitment to social justice and development is evident in their careers.

Net Worth

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka’s net Worth is estimated at approximately $1.5 million as of 2022. Throughout her distinguished career as a politician and former UN Women Executive Director, she has significantly contributed to advancing women’s rights and gender equality worldwide.