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Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
South Africa Minister of Minerals & Energy
Serving as Co-Chair for the Global Summit of Women 2000: Africa is the Honorable
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, recently appointed South African Minister of Minerals
and Energy Affairs. A lifelong advocate of African rural development, Minister
Mlambo-Ngcuka has a long history of contributing to programs which support South
African youth and women. Her dedication and interest in women's issues, combined
with her notable experience with governmental and trade affairs, makes her an
exemplary model of a successful, entrepreneurial-spirited female leader.
Though appointed less than a year ago, Minister Mlambo-Ngcuka has already
initiated significant policy change within the South African mineral and energy
arena. Her term began somewhat controversially when, last summer, she protested
First World gold sales by the U.K., the World Bank, and Switzerland because of
the serious economic consequences that would result for gold-producing countries
in the South. Clearly unafraid to tackle sensitive issues, Minister
Mlambo-Ngcuka is now leading efforts to develop a social plan for over 200,000
retrenched miners who have returned to South Africa's rural areas. Additionally,
she is contributing to efforts to have black businesses play a more predominant
role in the petroleum industry, and for women employees to become more active
within the mining sector.
Prior to her appointment as Minister of Minerals and Energy, Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka
was Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry for three years. In addition to
involvement in a host of organizations, Minister Mlambo-Ngcuka currently serves
on the Boards of the Women's Development Foundation, an organization which
supports women leaders, and Just Exchange, an organization which promotes
positive exporting relations between African small-, medium-, and
macro-enterprises, and European Union countries.
Lindiwe Benedicta Hendricks
South Africa Deputy Minister of Trade & Industry
Lindiwe Hendricks is currently the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry in the
South African Government. Ms. Hendricks is presently a member of the Judicial
Services Commission, the Advisory Board of the Small Claims Court for East
London and a member of the Constitutional Affairs Committee, the Ad Hoc
Committee on the quality of life and status of women, where she is the
chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Statements by Minister Maduna. In
1990, she joined the African National Congress and over the years held the
following positions at Branch level - Secretary, Deputy Chairperson, Treasurer
and others both in Mdantsane and East London. Lastly, she has been recently
appointed to serve on the Joint Standing Committee on Intelligence.
Gennet Zewdie
Ethopian Minister of Education
Fozia Hashim,
Eritrean Minister of Justice
HONORARY CO-CHAIRS
Speciosa Wandira Kazibwe
Vice President, Uganda
Dr. Speciosa Wandira Kazibwe is the only woman in Africa to hold the post of
Vice-President of a country. Dr. Speciosa Kazibwe is a Medical Doctor by
profession having studied at Makerere University in Kampala. She also holds a
Masters Degree in Surgery.
Dr. Speciosa Kazibwe has served in many positions in the NRM Government. She has
served as a Deputy Minister for Industry from 1989 to 1991. She also served as
Minister for Gender and Community Development. In 1994, Dr. Kazibwe was
appointed Vice-President and Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and
Fisheries, positions she continues to serve in.
Gloria Macapagal -Arroyo
Vice President, Philippines
The Vice President of the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, is a holder of
many records. In the 1995 Senatorial elections she garnered nearly 16 million
votes, the biggest number of votes for any position in Philippine history. In
1998 she was elected Vice President with a margin of more than 7 million votes
over her nearest rival, the biggest margin for any position in Philippine
history. From December 1994 to June 1999, a period of five years, she has topped
the most prestigious Philippine public opinion surveys on the people's
satisfaction with the performance of public servants.
Dr. Macapagal-Arroyo joined the Philippine government during the administration
of President Corazon Aquino, who appointed her Undersecretary of Trade and
Industry. When she was elected to the Philippine Senate, she authored 55 laws of
economic and social reform and was named outstanding Senator for several years.
Asiaweek has cited her as one of Asia's most powerful women.
Salim Ahmed Salim
Secretary General, Organization of African Unity
Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim was reelected Secretary General of the OAU for a third
term in June 1997. Dr. Salim's initial term started on September 19, 1989. Prior
to his election, as Secretary General, Dr. Salim held public office in his
country, the United Republic of Tanzania, where he served in various capacities
for twentyseven years. He was Prime Minister, from 1984 to 1985 and then served
as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence and National Service until his
election to the helm of the OAU General Secretariat. Dr. Salim has also served
as Ambassador to various countries including the Arab Republic of Egypt from
1964 1965, India from 1965 - 1968 and to the People's Republic of China in 1969.
In 1970, he was appointed Tanzania's Permanent Representative to the United
Nations, where he remained for more than ten years.
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