Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka

Awards & Honours

Awards Won

Honours

Rankings

Covers

Records

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka stands as a monumental figure in 21st-century global governance. Her transition from a trade unionist in the apartheid era to the Deputy President of a new democracy, and subsequently to the head of a major UN agency, represents a unique trajectory of leadership. She broke the glass ceiling as the first woman to serve as Deputy President of South Africa and was instrumental in creating UN Women as a unified global voice for gender equality. Her work has been recognized with high honors including the Order of Luthuli in Silver and multiple honorary doctorates from prestigious institutions worldwide.

AwardsWhile Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka has not won entertainment awards, she has received numerous prestigious national and international honours recognizing her diplomatic and leadership contributions. She holds a Doctorate in Technology from the University of Johannesburg and received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Warwick in July 2026. She is a recipient of the Order of Luthuli in Silver, awarded by the South African government for her contribution to the liberation struggle and nation-building. She has been frequently honored by organizations like the Women Deliver conference and the Global Citizen organization for her lifetime of advocacy.

Honours & Distinctions

Order of Luthuli in Silver

South African Government·2008

Awarded for contribution to the liberation struggle and nation-building.

Doctorate in Technology

University of Johannesburg·2026

Recognized for contributions to technology and education policy.

Honorary Doctorate

University of Warwick·2026

Awarded for global leadership in gender equality and education.

Rankings & Lists

#Featured

TIME 100

TIME Magazine·2015

#Ranked

Most Powerful Women

Forbes·2018

Magazine Covers

Time

2015-04-01

TIME 100 Most Influential People

Forbes

2018-10-01

World's Most Powerful Women

Records & Feats

First Female Deputy President of South Africa

Historic First·2004

Became the first woman to hold the office of Deputy President in 2004.

First Executive Director of UN Women

Diplomatic Milestone·2013

Led the newly merged entity combining four UN divisions in 2013.