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Zenani Mandela-Dlamini
Zenani Mandela.jpg
Princess Zenani Mandela-Dlamini
Ambassador of South Africa to South Korea
Assumed office
October 2019
President Cyril Ramaphosa
High Commissioner of South Africa to Mauritius
In office
May 2017 – October 2019
President Cyril Ramaphosa
Ambassador of South Africa to Argentina
In office
October 2012 – May 2017
President Jacob Zuma
Preceded by Tony Leon
Succeeded by Vacant
First Lady of South Africa
In office
10 May 1994 – 18 July 1998
Serving with Zindzi Mandela
(sister)
President Nelson Mandela
(father)
Preceded by Marike de Klerk
Succeeded by Graça Machel
(step-mother)
Personal details
Born
Zenani Mandela

(1959-02-04) 4 February 1959 (age 66)
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.

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

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Zenani Mandela-Dlamini para niños

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