Baleka Mbete

Baleka Mbete stands as a towering figure in South African politics, having navigated some of the country's most turbulent political waters with grace and determination. Her journey from a young activist in Durban to the highest offices in the land, including Deputy President and Speaker, underscores her resilience and dedication to the cause of democracy. She was the first woman to serve as the National Chairperson of the ANC, a position she held for a decade. Her dual identity as a poet and a legislator adds a unique dimension to her legacy, symbolizing the cultural richness of the liberation movement. Her handling of the 2017 vote of no confidence against Jacob Zuma is widely cited as a critical moment in South African constitutional history, testing the independence of the legislature.