Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka

Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka is a prominent advocate for gender equality, human rights, and social justice. With experience spanning government, civil society, and the private sector, Mlambo-Ngcuka played a significant role in the movement to end apartheid in South Africa. She served as a Member of Parliament as part of South Africa's first democratic government and later became the first woman Deputy President of South Africa, overseeing programs aimed at poverty reduction and economic inclusion, with a focus on women. Her previous roles include Minister of Minerals and Energy and Deputy Minister in the Department of Trade and Industry.

Mlambo-Ngcuka began her career as a teacher and gained international experience as a coordinator at World YWCA in Geneva, where she established a global program for young women. She later served as United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women. In this capacity, she led global initiatives such as the "HeForShe" movement, which engages men and boys in gender equality, and the "UnStereotype Alliance," which works to shift advertising norms toward equal representation. Mlambo-Ngcuka also played a key role in mobilizing $40 billion in financial commitments for the Generation Equality initiative, supporting transformative change for women and girls worldwide.

Her academic background includes a qualification in gender policy and planning from University College London, a master's degree in philosophy from the University of Cape Town, and a doctorate in technology and education from Warwick University. Mlambo-Ngcuka has contributed scholarly and opinion pieces to publications such as Harvard International Review and has received honorary doctorates from several South African universities. She has also been recognized as a Hauser Leader at the Harvard Kennedy School's Center for Public Leadership.

Mlambo-Ngcuka's work has been acknowledged with honors including the TIME 100 Most Influential Africans, the Global Goalkeeper Award from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Cannes LionHeart Award, the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun from the Japanese government, and the Vanguard Award from Howard University for leadership and activism in promoting human rights and equality.

Mlambo-Ngcuka serves as Chancellor of University of Johannesburg and is the founder of the Umlambo Foundation, which focuses on education and digital literacy training for educators. Her ongoing affiliations include serving on the Board of the Global Partnership and Fund to End Violence Against Children, the Advisory Board of the African Leadership Academy, and the Board of Trustees of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation. Throughout her career, Mlambo-Ngcuka has contributed to advancing gender equality, leadership, and social transformation on a global scale.