Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership
Republic of South Africa/Republiek van Suid-Afrika/ningizimu Afrika/Afrika Borwa/ Iningizimu Afrika/Afrika Dzonga/Afreika Borwa/Afurika Tshiperube/Umzantsi Afrika (Female Suffrage for whites 1930, Colored and Indians in 1984 and Blacks 1994) 1901 the Union of South Africa became a British Dominion, was declared an independent Republic 1961

Also see South African Homeland Ministers, South Africa Heads and South Africa Parliament

1952-61 Elizabeth the Second, Queen of South Africa and of Her Other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth (06.02-29.05)
From 1952-53 her official title was Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God of United Kingdom, Ireland and the British Dominions Beyond the Seas Queen, Defender of the Faith and Sovereign of South Africa. She has been Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland since 1952.

1989-94 Minister of Health and Welfare Dr. Elisabeth Henrika (Rika) Venter
Also member of the Minister's Council in the House of Representatives for Health and Social Welfare. (b. 1938-)

1993-94 Member of the Minister's Council in the House of Delegates for Education and Culture D. Grovender
The House of Delegates was a special Chamber for colored persons.

1993-94 Deputy Minister for Justice Shiela M. Camerer
1996-97 Deputy Minister for Justice
Since 1999 Leader of the New National Party in the National Assembly (Former Apartheid-party)

1993-94 Deputy Minister of Constitutional Development and Communication Fannie Schoema

1994-99 Minister of Health Dr. Nkosazana C. Dlamini-Zuma
1999- Minister of Foreign Affairs
Offered the post of Deputy President in 2005 after her ex-husband, Jacob Zuma, was fired after corruption charges. She was candidate for the post of Deputy President of ANC in 2007 but lost to a man, who has been also been charged with corruption, like her ex-husband who became ANC President. (b. 1949-).(b. 1949-)

1994-99 Minister of Public Utilities and Enterprises Dr. Princess Stella N. Sigcau
1999-2006 Minister of Public Works
Between 1970-87 Minister and 1987 Premier of the former "Independent" Home-Land Transkei. Widow of Ronald Tshabalala and mother of three children. She lived (1937-2006)

1994-99 Deputy Minister of Agriculture A.T. N (Thiko) Msane Didiza
1999-2006 Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs
2006- Minister of Public Works (b. 1965-)

1994-95 Deputy Minister of Welfare Sankie D. Mtembie-Mahanyele
1995-2003 Minister of Housing
2001 Acting President (20.04)
Between 1989-91 Deputy Head of International Affairs of ANC. On the 20^th of April 2001, she was sworn in as the first female acting President in the Southafrican history while both President Thabo Mbeki and Vice-President Jacob Zuma were abroad. She only acted for a few hours. From 2003 Deputy Secretary-General of the African National Congres. (b. 1951-)

1994-96 Deputy Minister of Welfare Geraldine J. Fraser-Moleketi
1996-99 Minister of Welfare and Population Development
1999- Minister of Public Service and Administration
(b. 1960-)

1994-95 Deputy Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology Nomzano Winni Madikizela-Mandela
During the imprisonment of her husband, Nelson Mandela (1964-89) she was known as "Mother of the Nation" and among the leaders of the Anti-Apartheid Movement and ANC. She is President of the Women’s Wing of ANC, 1997 she withdrew her candidature for the post of vice-President of ANC (and of the Republic) after revelations of her involvement in killings during Apartheid. Since the divorce in 1995 she has been known as Madikizela-Mandela. (b. 1934-)

1995-2003 Deputy Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology 
2003-04 Minister of Housing
2004- Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Brigitte S. Mabandla
(b. 1948-)

1996-2001 Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Dr. Lindiwe D. Sisulu-Guma
2001-04 Minister of Intelligence
2004- Minister of Housing
Daughter of former President of ANC Walter Sisulu and Nontsikelelo Albertine Sisulu, 1983-93 President of the United Democratic Front.

1996-99 Deputy Minister of Finance Gill Marcus
Between 1988-96 Deputy Secretary of Information of the ANC, From 1999 Deputy Governor of the National Reserve (National Bank). (b. 1949-)

1996-99 Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
1999-2005 Minister of Minerals and Energy
2004 Acting Minister of Arts and Culture
2004 Acting President (28.07-30.07)
2005 Acting President (23.01)
2005- Deputy President
(b. 1955-)

1996-2004 Deputy Minister of Minerals and Energy Susan Shabangu
2004- Deputy Minister of Safety and Security
(b. 1956-)

1996-99 Deputy Minister of Public Works Eileen E. Nkosi-Shandu
From 1999 Minister of Education and Culture of Kwazulu-Natal.

1996-99 Deputy Minister of Justice Dr. Mantombazana E. Tshabalala-Msimang
1999- Minister of Health
2003 Acting President (15.09)
2005- Member of the Pool of Possible Acting Presidents
Manto Tshabalala-Msimang was appointed Acting Presdent when both the President and Vice-President were out of the country. In 2003 the President appointed a pool of ministers to step in as acting presidents in his and his deputy's absence. (b. 1940-)

1999- Minister of Communication Dr. Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri
2003 Acting President (on one or two occations)
2005- Member of the Pool of Possible Acting Presidents
Between 1996-99 Premier of the Free State. (b. 1937-)

1999-2001 Deputy Minister of Public Works Buyisiwe Maureen Dhlamini-Nzimande
(b. 1952-)

1999-2004 Deputy Minister of Defence Nozizwe C. Madlala-Routledge
2004-07 Deputy Minister of Health
She was fired by the president because of her opposition to the Minister of Health, who thinks nutrition can replace treatment with anti-retroviral drugs.

1999- Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Rejoyce Thizwilondi Mabudafhasi

1999- Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Cheryl Ellen Gillwald
(b.1956-)

1999-2005 Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Lindiwe Benedickta Hendricks née Ngwane
2005-06 Minister of Minerals and Energy
2006- Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry
(b. 1957-)

2001-2004 Deputy Minister of Provincial and Local Government Ntombazana G.W. Botha
2004- Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture
(b. 1943-)

2002-04 Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula
2004- Minister of Home Affairs
Her husband, Charles Nqakula, the former Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, was promoted to the most of Minister of Security. Nosiviwe has been appointed Chief Whip of ANC earlier in the year. 

2003-04 Deputy Minister of Arts, Science, Culture and Technology Buyelwa Sonjica
2004-06 Minister of Water of Forestry
2006- Minister of Minerals and Energy

2004- Minister of Education Naledi Pandor
ANC Deputy Chief whip of the National Assembly From 1994-98, Permanent Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces 1998-99 and 1999-2004 it's Chairperson. (b. 1954-)

2004-06 Deputy Minister of Minerals and Energy Lulu Xingwana
2006- Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs

2004- Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sue van der Merwe
ANC Whip 1999-2000, Parliamentary Counsellor to the President 2001 - 2004

2004- Deputy Minister of Social Development Jean Benjamin

2005- Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Elizabeth Thabethe

2006- Deputy Minister of Correctional Services Loretta Jacobus