Zenani Mandela-Dlamini facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Zenani Mandela-Dlamini
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Princess Zenani Mandela-Dlamini
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| Ambassador of South Africa to South Korea | |
| Assumed office October 2019 |
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| President | Cyril Ramaphosa |
| High Commissioner of South Africa to Mauritius | |
| In office May 2017 – October 2019 |
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| President | Cyril Ramaphosa |
| Ambassador of South Africa to Argentina | |
| In office October 2012 – May 2017 |
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| President | Jacob Zuma |
| Preceded by | Tony Leon |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| First Lady of South Africa | |
| In office 10 May 1994 – 18 July 1998 |
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| President | Nelson Mandela (father) |
| Preceded by | Marike de Klerk |
| Succeeded by | Graça Machel (step-mother) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Zenani Mandela
4 February 1959 |
| Spouse |
Prince Thumbumuzi Dlamini
(m. 1977; sep. 1990) |
| Children | 4 |
| Parents | Nelson Mandela Winnie Madikizela-Mandela |
| Relatives | Zindzi Mandela-Hlongwane (sister) Thembekile Mandela (half-brother) Makgatho Mandela (half-brother) Makaziwe Mandela (half-sister) Prince Cedza Dlamini (step-son) Zoleka Mandela (niece) |
Princess Zenani Mandela-Dlamini was born on 5 February 1959. She is a South African diplomat, which means she represents her country in other nations. She is also a traditional aristocrat, part of a royal family. Zenani is the daughter of the famous Nelson Mandela and his former wife, Winnie Mandela. She is also the sister-in-law of Mswati III, the King of eSwatini.
Contents
Early Life and Family Background
Zenani Mandela was born into a family with a long history of leadership. Her father, Nelson Mandela, came from a line of chieftains of the Thembu people. He was even the heir to the chieftaincy of Mvezo. Later, her nephew, Mandla, took on this important role.
Zenani's early life was affected by the political situation in South Africa. Her mother, Winnie Mandela, was arrested shortly before Zenani was born in 1959. When Zenani was just four years old, her father was sent to prison. He remained there for 27 years. Zenani was 15 years old when she first had the chance to visit him in 1974.
Education and Personal Life
Princess Zenani Mandela-Dlamini attended Waterford Kamhlaba United World College of Southern Africa. She then went on to study science at Boston University in the United States.
While at university, she met Prince Thumbumuzi Dlamini of Swaziland, now known as eSwatini. He was also studying science at the same university. Prince Thumbumuzi is an older brother of the current King of eSwatini, Mswati III. He is also the brother of Queen Mantfombi of the Zulus.
Zenani and Prince Thumbumuzi married in 1973. They have four children together: two daughters named Zaziwe (born 1977) and Zamaswazi (born 1979), and two sons named Zinhle (born 1980) and Zozuko (born 1992). They also have six grandchildren. Zenani and Prince Thumbumuzi are currently separated. They work together as co-owners of a business called Mandela, Dlamini and Associates, which helps with international business.
Diplomatic Career and Public Service
Princess Zenani Mandela-Dlamini has had an important career in public service. In July 2012, she was chosen to be the ambassador for South Africa to Argentina. An ambassador is a high-ranking diplomat who represents their country in another nation. She started this role in October 2012. This made her the first of Nelson Mandela's children to work in public service. She served in Argentina until May 2017.
After her time in Argentina, she was appointed as the South African High Commissioner to Mauritius. A High Commissioner is similar to an ambassador, but for countries within the Commonwealth of Nations. In October 2019, Princess Zenani Mandela-Dlamini was appointed as the South African Ambassador to South Korea.
When her father, Nelson Mandela, became president, Zenani took on another important role. After her parents divorced, she accompanied her father to his inauguration. She served as the stand-in First Lady of South Africa for a time. This role continued until her father remarried on his 80th birthday to Graça Machel, who had been the First Lady of Mozambique.
See also
In Spanish: Zenani Mandela-Dlamini para niños
