Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka was awarded her bachelor’s degree in Arts and Education at the National University of Lesotho. She further obtained a qualification in Gender Policy and Planning from the 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.
As a student and in her professional life, she was a campaigner against Apartheid and gender discrimination. She was a lecturer and teacher before moving to Geneva as the global coordinator of young women’s mobilization at World YWCA, where she worked with young women around the world and established a global programme. She returned to Cape Town to spearhead TEAM, an ecumenical organisation that focused on building leaders, especially women. From there, she transitioned to campaign for South Africa’s democratic government as a member of the African National Congress.
Her political journey began as a member of the first democratic South African Parliament as Deputy Minister in the Department of Trade and Industry, then as Minister of Minerals and Energy, and finally as Deputy President of South Africa, the first woman to hold the position and the highest-ranking female political leader in the history of South Africa. She focused on collaboration between government, business and civil society, ending poverty and expanding access to opportunities for young people and women.
As the head of United Nations Women, she mobilised new allies, including men, through initiatives such as the HeforShe movement, established the UnStereotype Alliance initiative for influencing advertising norms for positive change and equal representation, and helped countries to change hundreds of laws that discriminate against women and girls.
She has also successfully mobilised a historic 40 billion USD in financial commitments from Member States, private sector, philanthropies and civil society to mark Beijing 25 around the world.
She was inducted as a Hauser Leader at the Harvard Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership and awarded the Vanguardaward by Howard University for Leadership and Activism in promoting human rights, equality and justice for women and girls.
She has authored several scholarly and other opinion pieces, including in the Harvard International Review. She was awarded Honorary Doctorates from the following institutions: the University of the Western Cape, Nelson Mandela University, the University of Fort Hare, University of Witwatersrand, Rhodes University and the University of Edinburgh.
Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka continues to be engaged with organisations committed to education, women empowerment and gender equality. She founded the Umlambo Foundation, which works for the improvement of education, access to edu tech, and non-discrimination. She Is on the Board of the global organisation Women Deliver, Global Citizen, Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg, Chairperson of International Olympics Committee human rights and a member of the panel of Wise at the African Union.
