DR PHUMZILE MLAMBO-NGCUKA

Gold Medal RECIPIENT 2022

PHUMZILE MLAMBO-NGCUKA

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka is a former United Nations Under-SecretaryGeneral and Executive Director of UN Women (2013–2021) who has had an illustrious career in public service.

Mlambo-Ngcuka has a master’s degree in Philosophy from the University of Cape Town (2003) and a doctorate in Technology and Education from Warwick University (2013). She was inducted as a Hauser Leader at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership and awarded the Vanguard Award by Howard University for her role in promoting human rights, equality and justice for women and girls. She was the coordinator at the World YWCA in Geneva, where she established a global programme for young women (1984–1989) before returning to Cape Town to head TEAM, an ecumenical organisation that focused on upskilling women.

Her political career included election to Parliament (1994–1996) and appointments as Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry (1996–1999), Minister of Minerals and Energy (1999–2005), and Deputy President of South Africa (2005–2008). Mlambo-Ngcuka continues her work through her affi liations with the Umlambo Foundation (founder), the Global Partnership and Fund to End Violence Against Children, the African Leadership Academy and the Mandela Rhodes Foundation.

Image credit: Government Communication and Information System

A HISTORICAL OCCASION

Those who were honoured for their contributions are indeed worthy of this recognition because they exemplify creativity, scholarship, selflessness and the courage of their convictions in making a difference in the society that they inhabit.