NKOSAZANA DLAMINI-ZUMA

1949

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma was born on January 27, 1949 in Natal, now KwaZulu-Natal.

1967

She received her secondary education at Amanzimtoti Training College until 1967.

1971

She began her tertiary studies at the University of Zululand, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree.

1976

She left South Africa to complete her MB ChB medical qualifications at the University of Bristol, England, in 1978.

1970s

Dlamini-Zuma became active in underground ANC activities while serving as the deputy president of the South African Student Organisation.

1992

Dlamini-Zuma married Jacob Zuma.

1994

During the era of former president Nelson Mandela, she was appointed minister of health.

1998

Dlamini-Zuma is divorced from Jacob Zuma.

1999

Appointed minister of foreign affairs, serving until 2009 in this position.

2009

Dlamini-Zuma served as South Africa’s minister of home affairs from 2009 to 2012.

2012

Elected as the African Union’s chairperson until 2017, despite resistance from Francophone African nations.

2013

South African government conferred the Order Of Luthuli Award in Gold on her for her contribution to the liberation struggle in SA.

2017

She was sworn in as MP on September 21, 2017, and started her campaign for the presidency of the ANC in earnest.