Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka

Ubuntu Radio in conversation with Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka at the SA Switzerland Special Envoy Retreat at Irene Farm, Pretoria.

The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola, is scheduled to host the High-Level Forum of the 10th Gertrude Shope Annual Dialogue Forum on Thursday, 28 August 2025, at the DIRCO Conference Centre, in Pretoria. The year 2025 will mark the 10th anniversary of the Gertrude Shope Annual Dialogue Forum. The Forum has developed into a platform that has gained respect from the international and regional community on matters relating to Women, Peace and Security. The Gertrude Shope Annual Dialogue Forum was established as a space for women to share experiences, knowledge and best practices in peace-making. The patron of the Forum, Ms Gertrude Shope, passed away in May 2025, three months before she was to turn 100 years old in August. Therefore this 10th anniversary of the Forum coincides with the centennial milestone.

From the National Organization of Women to the YMCA to the UN, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka has made it her mission in life to fight racism and sexism. In this week’s episode, Phumzile shares her journey through her early activism against apartheid to her true dedication of bringing about gender equality into the world. Being At The Table means: “Firstly, you make your presence felt. I'm not talking about being arrogant, but I also think that you must insist to get your fair share. You have to make sure that people do not forget where they saw that, and when at the end of the meeting, when we are summarizing and following up, one of your ideas must be one of those.” - Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka Highlights from the Conversation: • Feeling cautiously optimistic while celebrating the female unsung heroes in South Africa • How apartheid shaped her determination to facilitate education especially amongst women • The risks of being an activist in South Africa • Smuggling political activist messages on tissue paper • Running for president of the National Organization of Women at the age of 22 • Fighting for women around the world as the Global Youth Coordinator for the YWCA • The importance of solidarity in activism • The anonymity of social media on racism and sexism • Why women’s education and leadership is so critical • What we need to create gender equality in the world • And More… About the Guest: Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka is the Executive Director of UN Women, and was a member of South Africa’s first democratic government, including serving as Deputy President from 2005 to 2008. At UN Women she has led innovative initiatives including the HeForShe movement and the UnStereotype Alliance, and in 2018 and 2019 was named as one of the most influential persons in gender policy. Learn more about Phumzile and what she does at: Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka | UN Women Investing in a Feminist Peace by Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka - Project Syndicate Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka | LinkedIn About the Host: Alaa Murabit is an award-winning medical doctor, global security strategist, women’s rights advocate and United Nations High-Level Commissioner on Health, Employment & Economic Growth and Sustainable Development Goal Global Advocate. https://alaamurabit.com/ https://www.instagram.com/alaamurabit/ https://twitter.com/almmura https://www.linkedin.com/in/alaamurabit/ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in you

Sami and Amanda are joined by Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, for a very special announcement about our 2020 voting initiative. This year marks the 100th anniversary of (some!) women’s right to vote. It’s never been more important to use it. Mlambo-Ngcuka joins us to launch #keepit100, our campaign to urge women to vote any chance they get and work to remove the barriers that still restrict access to the ballot. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka also shares why this is a landmark year for UN Women, during which they’re honoring galvanizing moments in UN history with the Generation Equality campaign, a multigenerational campaign to channel the “radical impatience” of women around the world to demand equality in all areas of society. Finally, we announce an exciting partnership where you can help support UN Women, and learn more about their plans for International Women’s Day. Visit unwomen.org/en to learn more about UN Women and Generation Equality, or follow them on Instagram at @UNWomen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Africa State of Mind with Lee Kasumba commemorates Africa Month with a special episode featuring Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, South Africa’s former deputy president and currently United Nations under-secretary-general and executive director of UN Women. Lee also speaks to Chude Jideonwo, Nigerian lawyer and co-founder of The Future Project and Acha Leke, the co-founder and member of the Global Advisory Council of the African Leadership Academy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Otherwise with Shado Twala