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Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. Photo by U.S. Department of State.

Top 10 Intriguing Facts about Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma

Nkosazana Dlamini is a South African, former anti-apartheid activist and a Politian who is mostly referred to by her initials NDZ. She is a popular Politian who gained fame, especially with the engagement of then president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma.

She was born on the 27^th of January 1949 to a Zulu family which lived in Natal. She was the descendant of Willibrod Gweva and Rose. She was the firstborn in a family of eight children. Her father Willibrod was and teacher whose brother was a well-known activist in the African National Congress. Her mother was a homemaker.

She attended school in Amanzimtoti at Adams College which was a mission school that was attended by many ANC stalwarts. Her dream was to become a lawyer while her father anticipated that she become a doctor.

Below are the top 10intriguing facts about Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma

1. She was Intellectually outstanding in her Education Journey

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama greet Her Excellency Dr. Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini Zuma, Photo by Amanda Lucidon.

Nkosazana Dlamini was outstanding in her career journey. After completing high school, she moved to Amanzimtoti. She anticipated pursuing a career in law, however, her father wanted her to study medicine and become a doctor.

She joined the University of Zululand where she graduated which a bachelor’s degree in zoology and botany in 1971.

She furthered her studies and ventured into medicine at the University of Natal. While still at the university she joined the South African Students’ Organization which was championing Black Consciousness. She later moved to the United Kingdom to finish her studies in medicine.

She graduated with a master’s degree from the University of Bristol in 1978. Later in 1985, she went back to the United Kingdom to finish her diploma in tropical child heath which she pursued from Liverpool University’s School of Tropical Medicine.

2. She began her Political Career at the University

Nkosazana Dlamini began her political career while at the University of Natal when she joined South African Students’ Organisation. She was the deputy president of the organization in 1976.

The organization was a Black Consciousness grouping in the university. However, her political activity attracted the attention of the national police and she run into exile in the United Kingdom.

While in Britain she was made the chairperson of the African National Congress Youth Section between 1977 and 1978. This position saw her travel across Europe.

After her graduation, she worked for several hospitals while working British Regional Political Committee of the ANC.   

3. She was appointed Minister of Health after South Africa First Election

Nkosazana Zuma, foreign minister of South Africa. Photo by Michael Gross .

She was appointed in the position of Minister of Health in the cabinet of President Nelson Mandela in 1994. This was after the country gained independence and in 1994 Nelson Mandela was elected as the first president of South Africa.

She worked tirelessly in desegregating the health system. She brought forth the Tobacco Products Amendment Bill which made it illegal to smoke in public places.

She also campaigned and championed HIV/AIDS awareness which was an epidemic in South Africa at that time.

4. She was married to Former President Jacob Zuma

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was married to former South African President Jacob Zuma. Their marriage lasted between 1982 and 1998. In June 1998, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma divorced her husband, Zuma over their irreconcilable differences.

They both had four daughters. Their first-born, Msholozi was born in 1982, second Guguluthe was born in 1984 and was married to a Zimbabwean politician called Welshman Ncube.

The third born, Thuthukile was born in 1989 and she is said to have been controversially appointed as the Chief of Staff in 2014 in the Department of Telecommunication and Postal Services.

5. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Served as Minister of Foreign Affairs for Ten Years

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was appointed as Minister of Foreign Affairs under the presidency of Thabo Mbeki from 1999 to 2009. She pursued the goal of reforming the United Nations.

She mediated between Rwanda and Uganda and among the factions of the Rally for Congolese Democracy. In 2001 she was the president of the 2001 World Conference Against Racism.

She declined the position of deputy president which she was reportedly offered by Thabo Mbeki after Jacob Zuma was fired in 2005.

6. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was Elected Chair of the African Union (AU)

African Union Commission Chairperson Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. Photo U.S. Department of State. W

While she was still the Minister of Home Affairs, she contested for the position of Chairperson of the African Union Commission in January 2012. However, she failed to secure a two-thirds majority of the votes and the incumbent term was extended to six months.

On 15^th July same year, the second elections were conducted at the nineteenth session of the AU assembly and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was elected into the position.

She was replaced by Chadian Foreign Minister, Moussa Faki as the chairperson on 30^th January 2017.

7. She was Unsuccessful to Win the ANC Presidency

 Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma moved back to South Africa in 2017 from Addis Ababa to campaign for the ANC presidency. However, she was sworn in back as a member of the National Assembly on the 21^st of September 2017.

In 2018, she was appointed as the Minister in the presidency where she was tasked with the responsibility for planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation.

8. Dlamini-Zuma was Disliked and Unpopular among AU Officials

 Dlamini-Zuma being the chair African Union Commission, was disliked and unpopular among the AU officials. This resulted from her absenteeism and her apparent aloofness.

The officials mostly criticized her for spending so much time in South Africa rather than the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa. She was also criticized for filling her security details with South African nationals.

9. She became famous for her Exceptional Work to Cause Freedom

Dr Nkosazuna Dlamini Zuma. Photo by Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

She made her name known due to her exceptional life’s work and input to cause and promote freedom for the people of South Africa. She promoted consolidation and development in her quest to better the lives of all Africans.

10. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was Listed among the top 100 Most Influential Africans

She was listed as one of the top hundred influential Africans in the New African Magazine in 2013. Later in 2019, she was appointed the chancellor of the University of Limpopo which is considered a ceremonial position.

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma’s input in the freedom of South Africa is greatly celebrated.