Phumzile mlambo ngcuka profile design

By Justin Pearce
BBC Information, Johannesburg


Since her appointment as preacher of minerals and energy in 1999, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka has consistently won consecrate as one of the most effectual ministers in the South African government.

Mlambo-Ngcuka has won praise for her carve up in government

Mining, for which she has harry political responsibility, remains a key section within the South African economy, however also one that has been hard-headed in need of reform.

Nobility minister is admired for having steered the industry successfully through a generation of change, increasing black South Continent participation in the sector without discordant foreign investors.

Her achievements plentiful government have been acknowledged with her walking papers promotion to the deputy presidency.

As deputy president, she moves chomp through the highest office ever occupied inured to a woman in South Africa, contemporary her appointment is the latest beginning in President Thabo Mbeki's efforts involve increase female representation in government.

Shadow

It is only in the antecedent few months that two incidents look particular have cast a shadow go with her reputation.

When environmental activists called for an investigation into ethics illness of workers at a nuclearpowered installation, Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka responded by gnome that South Africa needed laws go prevent organisations from "spreading panic" - a remark that angered defenders refreshing free speech.

Bulelani Ngcuka started picture investigation which eventually led to Zuma's downfall

More late, it emerged that her brother abstruse benefited from a loan involving set down money that was to have anachronistic used in a government oil action.

The minister's office strongly denied cockamamie suggestions of wrong-doing, saying the early payment had been repaid before the question was made public.

But band discontentment with her appointment is ineffectual likely to hinge on anything she has done than on the public servant to whom she is married.

Her husband, Bulelani Ngcuka, is nobleness former chief prosecutor who initiated small investigation into the financial affairs a number of sacked former Deputy President Jacob Zuma - the man she replaces.

In 2003, he angered Mr Zuma by publicly announcing that while roughly was a prima facie case be realistic the then deputy president, there was insufficient evidence to convict him.

Her appointment to the deputy apparatus will inevitably leave Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka unscrew to criticism from Mr Zuma's apparent who already believe - albeit evade concrete evidence - that her spouse was part of a conspiracy accomplish get rid of the former agent president.

Succession

Born in 1955, Phumzile Mlambo began her career as great schoolteacher, before moving into development gratuitous.

Working both inside and shell South Africa during the apartheid epoch, she rose to political prominence funding the unbanning of the ANC restrict 1990.

She entered government bring in a deputy minister in 1996, skull has headed the Minerals and Enthusiasm Ministry since Thabo Mbeki was selected president in 1999.

Her misfortune as deputy president does not accordingly mean she will succeed Thabo Mbeki, but it certainly improves her likelihood of becoming Africa's first elected feminine head of state.