Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa since 25 September 2008 - 9 May 2009).
Chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC) Parliamentary caucus since 1995.
Member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) since 1997 and National Working Committee since 1998.
Member of National Executive Council (NEC) of African National Congress (ANC) since December 2007.
National Chairperson of ANC since December 2007.
President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union since April 2008.
Academic Qualifications
Matriculated from Inanda Seminary in Durban (1968).
Obtained Teacher's Certificate from Lovedale Teachers' College (1973).
Post graduate courses with University of Cape Town:
Framework for Governance (1998).
Basic Principles of Public International Law (1999).
International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law (2000).
Theory and practice of conflict resolution (2005).
Career/Positions/Memberships/Other Activities
Teacher at Isibonelo High School, KwaMashu, Durban (1974 - 1975).
Went into exile and taught at Matter Dolorosa High School, Mbabane, Swaziland (1976 - 1977).
Joined African National Congress (ANC) (1 May 1976).
Worked in the ANC's Department of Information and Publicity (Radio Freedom) and Women's section in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (1977 - 1981).
Member of the ANC's Regional Secretary of Women's section (April 1978 - October 1981).
Public Relations work (informal) for ANC in Nairobi, Kenya (1981 - 1983).
Worked in ANC underground political structures in Gaborone, Botswana (1983 - 1986).
Head of Medu Art Ensemble and member of the Southern African Arts Trust Fund since 1984.
Member of the ANC Regional Women's Committee and Regional Political Committee in Harare, Zimbabwe (1986 - 1987).
Secretary to National Preparatory Committee for Women's section National Conference (April - September 1987).
Member of the Executive Committee in the capacity of Administrative Secretary in Lusaka, Zambia (1987 - 1990).
Member of interim Leadership Core and member of Task Force of ANC Women's League (1990 - 1991).
Secretary-General of ANC Women's League (1991 - 1993).
Member of the ANC National Executive Committee (ex-officio) (1991 - 1993).
Member of Panel of Chairpersons of Multi-Party Negotiating process (1991 - 1994).
National Spokesperson, ANC Election Centre (January - April 1994).
Member of the Presidential Panel on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission since 1995.
Member of the Constitutional Committee and National Assembly (1994).
Co-Chairperson of Theme Committee 6 and member of its Core Group since 1994.
Member of the ANC National Executive Committee since 1994.
Chairperson of Sub-Theme Committee 6 since 1994.
Served on International Advisory Panel for UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) Director General (1998).
Member of Advisory Board to Desmond Tutu Leadership Academy.
Served on a UNIFEM panel of experts to assist in engendering the Burundi Peace Process (June / July 2000).
Delivered conflict related presentations in South Africa and other African countries, sponsored by UNIFEM, Centre for Conflict Resolutions (CCR) and ACCORD.
Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of South Africa (May 1996 - April 2004).
Leader of Parliamentary delegation to 9th Congress of Pan African Women's Organisation (Boksburg) (2008).
Former Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of South Africa from April 2004 until 25 September 2008.
