Zenani Mandela-Dlamini

Princess Zenani Mandela-Dlamini (born 4 February 1959) is a South African diplomat. She is the elder daughter of Nelson Mandela and his second wife, Winnie Mandela.

Zenani Mandela-Dlamini
South African Ambassador to Argentina
In office
October 2012 – 2017
PresidentJacob Zuma
Preceded byTony Leon
South African High Commissioner to Mauritius
Assumed office
2017
PresidentCyril Ramaphosa
Personal details
Born (1959-02-04) 4 February 1959 (age 65)
Spouse(s)Prince Thumbumuzi Dlamini (separated)
Children4
ParentsNelson Mandela (1918-2013)
Winnie Mandela (1936-2018)
RelativesZindzi Mandela-Hlongwane (sister)
Makgatho Mandela (half-brother)
Makaziwe Mandela (half-sister)

Biography

She was born in 1959. When she was four her father was sent to prison. She was not able to visit him until she was 16 years old.[1]

Mandela-Dlamini studied at Waterford Kamhlaba United World College of Southern Africa and science at Boston University.[2] At Boston she met Prince Thumbumuzi Dlamini, elder brother of the King of Swaziland, Mswati III and of Queen Mantfombi of the Zulus).[3][4] They married in 1973 and had four children – Zaziwe (born 1977), Zamaswazi (1979), Zinhle (1980) and Zozuko (1992) – but are currently separated.[5] They are co-owners of Mandela, Dlamini and Associates (International Business Consultants).

She was appointed ambassador for South Africa to Argentina in July 2012. She was the first of Mandela's children to enter public service.[6][7] She served in this position until 2017, when she was appointed South African high commissioner to Mauritius.

After Mandela was elected president and his divorce to Winnie, Zenani accompanied her father to his inauguration. She become the stand-in First Lady of South Africa until her father remarried.

References

  1. Williams, Juan (8 November 1987). "'Daddy Stayed in Jail. That Was His Job'; Zenani Mandela's Life Without Father". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 25 February 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2008.
  2. Smith, David (29 April 2013). Southern Africa's first multiracial school celebrates 50 triumphant years. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/apr/29/southern-africa-first-multiracial-school-50. Retrieved 23 September 2014. 
  3. "Swaziland prince and princess attend Boston University". The Ten O'Clock News. WGBH Boston. 13 May 1987. Retrieved 27 October 2008.
  4. Burke's Royal Families of the World, Volume II. London: Burke's Peerage Ltd. 1980. pp. 217–218, 271, 320. ISBN 0-85011-029-7.
  5. Forde, Fiona. "Mandela set for diplomatic posting to Argentina". The Sunday Independent. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  6. Mandela daughter Zenani appointed Argentina ambassador. BBC News. 4 July 2012. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18703172. Retrieved 3 February 2013. 
  7. Laing, Aislinn, "Nelson Mandela's daughter appointed South Africa ambassador to Argentina", The Telegraph, 4 July 2012.