Minister of Foreign Affairs

Personal

• Date of Birth: 27 January 1949

Current Positions

• Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Africa since 17 June 1999.
• Member of the African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Working Committee (NWC).
• Member of the African National Congress (ANC) Women's League National Executive Committee.
• Member of the Socialist International Commission on Climate Change.

Academic Qualifications

• Matriculated from Amanzimtoti Training College (1967).
• BSC in Zoology and Botany from University of Zululand (1971).
• MB ChB from University of Bristol (1978).
• Diploma in Tropical Child Health from School of Tropical Medicine, University of Liverpool (1986).

Career/Memberships/Positions/Other Activities

• Research Technician to Professor Adams, Medical School, University of Natal, Durban (1972).
• House Officer, Surgery, Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, England (1978 - 1979).
• House Officer, Canadian Red Cross Memorial Hospital, Berkshire, England (1979 - 1980).
• Medical Officer, Paediatrics, Mbabane Government Hospital, Swaziland (1980 - 1985).
• Paediatric attachment, Wittington Hospital in England (1987- 1989).
• African National Congress (ANC) Health Department, Lusaka, Zambia (1989 - 1990).
• Research Scientist, Medical Research Council, Durban (1991 - 1994).
• Minister of Health of the Republic of South Africa (1994 - 16 June 1999).
• ANC Women's League Provincial Chairperson of Kwa-Zulu Natal (December 1997-May 2008)
• President of the United Nations AIDS (UNAIDS) (1997)
• Member of the ANC National Working Committee (NWC)(1998-2007)
• Vice-President of the South African Student's Organisation (SASO ) (1976).
• Chairperson of ANC Youth Section, Great Britain (1977 - 1978).
• Vice-Chairperson of the Regional Political Committee of the ANC, Great Britain (1978 - 1988).
• Chairperson of Regional Political Committee of the ANC, Great Britain (1988 - 1989).
• Founder and Director, Health Refugee Trust (HEART), Health and Development Organisation, England (1988 - 1990).
• Chairperson of the ANC Southern Natal Region Health Committee (1990 - 1992).
• Member of the Executive Committee, Southern Natal Region of the ANC (1990 - 1993).
• Chairperson of Southern Natal Region of the ANC Women's League (ANCWL).
• Member of the ANC Health and Campaigns Committees.
• Deputy Chairperson of the United Nations AIDS (UNAIDS) (1995).
• Chancellor of the ML Sultan Technikon, Durban (1996).
• Member of the Steering Committee, National Aids Co-Ordinating Committee of South Africa (1992).
• Trustee of Health Systems Trust (1992).
• Member of the Board, Centre for Social Development Studies, University of Natal, Durban (1992).
• Elected President of the United Nations World Conference Against Racism (WCAR).
• President of the Ministers' Council for the United Nations World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD).
• Former Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Executive Council of Ministers, during South Africa's tenures as AU Chairperson.
• Member of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Local Organising Committe (2007)
• Commissioner for the Socialist International (2007)

Awards/Decorations/Presentations/Bursaries

• Honorary Doctorate of Law from University of Natal (1995).
• Honorary Doctorate of Law from University of Bristol (1996).
• Doctor of Medicine degree (Honoris Causa)from University of Transkei (1997).
• Honorary Degree from MEDUNSA (1999)
• Tobacco Free World Award (WHO) (17 May 1999)
• Women who make a difference Award from International Women's Forum (IWF) (2002)
• Tribute Achievers Awards: Premium Award on NEPAD from Tribute Magazine (2002)
• Grand Maitre de L'orde National (Orde National du Mali) of the Republic of Mali (07 May 2002)
• Stateswomen of the year Award from BBQ (2004)
• The Order of Peter the Great: First Class, Russian Federation (11 July 2005)
• Honorary Professor of the Belarusian State University (2007)
• Huesped Illustre de la Cuidad de la Habana (Illustrious Guest of Havana City) decoration, Cuba
• Huesped Illustre de la Cuidad de la Santiago (Illustrious Guest of Santiago) decoration, Chile.