Welcome to our 10th #aroundtheworld! Today, we will be discussing 5 female politicians who are rewriting history in Africa. Enjoy our article on Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Lindiwe Mazibuko, Specioza Wandira-Kazibwe, Joice Mujuru and Samia Suluhu Hassan!
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Born in 1938, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became the 24th Liberian president and the first democratically elected female president on the African Continent in early 2006. She continued to secure her positions for two successful terms, demonstrating her commitment and integrity throughout her political career. She was also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate in 2011 for her role in advocating about women’s rights and peace building. She was labelled as a forerunner on promoting equality, freedom and justice and Liberia as well as for her political accomplishments such as strengthening foreign relations and ensuring national security. During her involvement in politics, she had faced several hardships including the house arrest, being sent to jail and her exile from Liberia. With the strong will to never give up, Ellen once said, “The size of your dreams must always exceed your current capacity to achieve them. If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough”.
Lindiwe Mazibuko
Lindiwe Mazibuko is among few female politicians to earn a position in the parliament and became one of the youngest parliamentarians in South Africa. She formerly served as a parliamentary leader of the Democractic Alliance formed in the continent and is also known as one of the strongest young female politicians. In 2012, Lindiwe was voted as South Africa’s Most Influential Woman and was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2013. However, she resigned from her position as parliamentary leader to further her education at Harvard University. She has also launched a new programme named Apolitical Academy, a programme to support the next generation of ethical political leaders in politics. It is also to empower young women and people who want to be involved in the political field and or have future plans towards running for office. Lindiwe’s splendid accomplishments in South Africa’s politics made her earned the deserved title of “One of the Most Powerful Women in South Africa.”
Specioza Wandira-Kazibwe
Specioza Wandira Kazibwe is a Ugandan politician who was elected as the Vice President of Uganda from 1994 to 2003. She became the first female vice-president of an independent Afirican nation, advancing her political career. During this time period, she also served as a Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries. Kazibwe has dedicated her life to the empowerment of women, reducing poverty and promoting social justice. She was the first President of the African Women’s committee on Peace and Development, a committee that advises on gender issues and involvement of women in Africa’s development. Kazibwe also served as the Special Envoy to the United Nations Secretary-General on HIV/AIDS in Africa from 2013 to 2014. Her influence in the African politics has further raised debate on the legislation such as martial rape, divorce laws for women, property rights and regulating polygamy. Kazibwe is currently a Senior Advisor to President Museveni on microfinance, health and population.
Joice Mujuru
Born in 1955, Joice Mujuru became the first female Vice President of Zimbabwe between 2004 and 2014. She has also served as the Minister of Sports, States, Community Development and Women’s affairs, expanding her political experience throughout. However, she lost her position as a Vice President and left office in 2014 after her relations with the country’s president, Robert Mugabe deteriorated. After her exit from the party, he formed a new political party, the Zimbabwe People First Party. Mujuru is recognized as one of the few women In Zimbabwe who was able to project her voice through her political involvement, especially when the country was still going through the recovery state from the war. She was selected to be the commander of Chimoi’s camp in Mozambique at the age of 21 and a political instructor of the successful military bases. In 1974, Mijuru became one of the first female commanders in the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army, a nationalist organization that fought against the white rule in the Rhodesian Bush War (ZANLA). Joice Mujuru is known for her military accomplishments and due to her excellent skills, she is commonly known by her war name Teurai Ropa, meaning “spill blood.”
Samia Suluhu Hassan
Being one of Tanzania's most powerful women, Samia Suluhu Hassan is the country’s first ever female Vice president in 2015 and became the second female vice president in East Africa after Uganda’s Speciosa Wandira Kazibwe mentioned above. She has also served as a high ranking woman minister in Zanzibar when the president Amani Abeid Karume appointed her. Hassan started working in president Jakay Kiwete’s government as a minister of state for union affairs as well. However, her political career officially began when she was elected as a special seat member to Zanzibar’s House of Representatives in 2000. Prior to her election as the vice president, she has worked as a minister of labor, gender development and children as well as tourism, trade and investment. Hassan was often looked down on by her male colleagues due to her gender however, she rose to fame as she fought against gender inequality and social justice. Her various accomplishments contributed to the Tanzania’s government made her earn the title of “One of the most powerful women in Africa’s politics.”
Which politicians do you admire? Comment below!