Former Deputy President of South Africa Keynotes Women’s Event

Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka’s distinguished career spans grassroots activism, national governance and global policy leadership. Her entry into national politics after 1994 marked the beginning of a remarkable public service career. She became the first woman to be appointed Deputy President of South Africa – the highest-ranking woman in the country’s history at the time. She went on to serve as Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, where she launched global movements like HeForShe and championed gender equality on the world stage.

In an engaging fireside conversation, Dr Phumzile reflected on her career – from grassroots activism to global policy leadership – and shared insights on education, digital literacy, and leading with “power and purpose”. She urged women not only to occupy spaces of influence, but to shape the systems they work within, driving meaningful and lasting change.

Attendees left inspired by Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka’s call for women to not only occupy spaces of influence, but to actively shape the systems they engage with, setting agendas, driving structural change and ensuring their leadership leaves a lasting legacy.

Dr Rufaro Nyakatawa commented: