Lindiwe Sisulu

Pioneering South African leader advancing gender equality and economic justice through innovative policy-making

Lindiwe Sisulu (born 1957) emerged as a transformative political figure in post-apartheid South Africa, making her mark through groundbreaking work in gender equality and economic empowerment. As Deputy President of the African National Congress (ANC) from 2012-2017, she spearheaded policies that reshaped national discourse on women's rights and economic transformation. Her 2003 establishment of the Gender Commission as part of South Africa's Human Rights Commission marked a watershed in institutionalizing gender equality frameworks.

Her pioneering work in the 2000s included championing the Gender Equity Monitor, a tool to track progress in women's representation across all sectors. This initiative helped increase female parliamentary representation from 27% in 1994 to 45% by 2020. Sisulu's advocacy for economic inclusion led to landmark policies like the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, which she helped reform to better address women's participation. She has delivered keynotes at global forums including the UN Commission on the Status of Women (UN Women), amplifying Africa's voice in global gender dialogues.

In 2018, she co-founded the Sisulu Institute for Leadership Development, training over 5,000 young leaders annually. Her innovative approach combines traditional leadership principles with modern governance strategies. Sisulu's influence extends to corporate sectors through her advisory roles with multinational companies aiming to achieve gender parity. Her 2020 book Leadership for a Changing World (available on Amazon) outlines her vision for inclusive leadership in the 21st century. Recognized globally, she received the Women's Leadership Award from the Harvard Kennedy School in 2019.