Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma

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Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma (born 27 January 1949) is a prominent South African politician and anti-apartheid activist. She has held several high-profile positions in both the South African government and the African Union, making significant contributions to politics and public health in Africa.

Early Life and Education

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was born in Natal Province (now KwaZulu-Natal), South Africa. She completed her early education in South Africa before going into exile during the apartheid era. Dlamini-Zuma pursued her higher education in the United Kingdom, where she studied at the University of Bristol, earning a Bachelor's degree in Science. She later obtained her medical degree from the University of Liverpool, focusing on public health.

Political Career

Dlamini-Zuma's political career began in the late 1970s and early 1980s when she became actively involved in the anti-apartheid movement. She was a member of the African National Congress (ANC), South Africa's ruling party, and played a significant role in the struggle against apartheid.

In Government

After the end of apartheid, Dlamini-Zuma was appointed as Minister of Health in Nelson Mandela's cabinet in 1994, a position she held until 1999. During her tenure, she implemented several reforms aimed at improving the health care system in South Africa, despite facing controversies, including the promotion of Virodene, a drug that was not approved by the medical community for the treatment of HIV/AIDS.

She later served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1999 to 2009 under Presidents Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe. In this role, Dlamini-Zuma was instrumental in promoting South Africa's foreign policy and strengthening its relations with other countries, particularly those in Africa.

Dlamini-Zuma was appointed Minister of Home Affairs in 2009, a position she held until 2012. Her tenure was marked by efforts to improve the efficiency of the Department of Home Affairs, focusing on the modernization of its systems and improving service delivery to the public.

African Union Commission Chairperson

In 2012, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was elected as the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, becoming the first woman to hold the position. During her tenure, she focused on promoting peace and security, economic development, and women's empowerment across the continent. She served in this capacity until 2017.

Personal Life

Dlamini-Zuma was married to Jacob Zuma, a former President of South Africa, with whom she has four children. The couple divorced in 1998.

Legacy and Impact

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma's contributions to South African politics and her efforts to improve public health and promote development in Africa have established her as a key figure in contemporary African history. Her work with the African Union, in particular, has been notable for its focus on inclusive growth and sustainable development across the continent.

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