- Women have made big moves in South African politics.
- Ahead of the 30th democratic election on 29 May 2024, we look at women political figures.
- Naledi Pandor and Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma have been in politics for decades.
South African elections are set to take place on the 29 May 2024.
Overcoming generations of patriarchy in political spaces, we have witnessed an increase in women entering this space, taking up executive positions and boldly leading various political parties.
From running women’s leagues to taking up spaces in Parliament, we have seen a major influence from South African women wanting to make a change and improve the lives of other women. We have compiled a list of prominent women in South African politics who are taking up space.
Patricia de Lille
Patricia has also had her moment of being the mayor of Cape Town and has been affiliated with multiple political parties such as the DA and the PAC. She then founded her own political party, Good, and is the minister of tourism in Cape Town.
Lungi Mnganga Gcabashe
Lungi is the Deputy President of the ANC Women's League and she has also presided in the National Assembly for the party.
Nokuzola Gladys Tolashe
Nokuzola takes on the role of being the deputy minister in the Presidency for women, youth and persons with disabilities in the ANC.
After multiple positions in the ANC such as auditor-general in the National Assembly, Nokuzola has been part of the ANC for many years, and she was even detained for five years in the 1980s fighting for the rights of Black South Africans.
Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma
Apartheid activist and trained medical doctor Dr Nkosazana has played a crucial role in South African politics and continues to serve the people of South Africa as the minister in the Presidency responsible for women, youth and persons with disabilities. She also served as the chairperson of the African Union in 2012.
Mbali Ntuli
Mbali is one of the youngest politicians who served as the provincial campaigns director for the DA in the Kwa-Zulu-Natal province. She left the party in 2022 after 15 years and is currently taking upon entrepreneurial roles while continuously being in the politics space.
Helen Makhuba
Member of the IFP Helen is the deputy national chairperson of the women's brigade and an IFP member of the mayoral committee in the City of Johannesburg.
Naledi Pandor
Naledia Pendor is another ANC member that has been part of the party for decades. She currently holds the position of minister of international relations and cooperation of South Africa and has been a member of parliament for the past 30 years.
