S Africa hails Phumzile's appointment as UN Women chief

The appointment of former South African Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka as the new UN Women agency chief has been hailed as a victory for women in the African continent.
"It is a true measure of recognition not only of her contribution to the advancement of women in South Africa, but also an acknowledgement of the considerably influential and progressive role that South Africa and its people continue to play in the global affairs," President Jacob Zuma said.
"This appointment signifies the importance of South Africa in advancing human rights and equality within the international community," said Dorothy Ramodibe, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Women, Children and People with Disabilities.

"We are confident that she is the ideal person to drive forward the effort for a new world order, were women are empowered and treated equally," Ramodibe added.
"We are proud that the UN is continuing to recognise the value of the contribution that South African women have made in the fight for equality."
"Mrs Mlambo-Ngcuka joins South African women like Navi Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, the Deputy Chair for the UN Committee of Experts in Public Administration, who are actively participating in making a difference on the international stage," Ramodibe said.

The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) also welcomed the appointment of Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka as the second head of the United Nations Agency for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women, or UN Women.

"As a long-time advocate of women's rights, the CGE believes she is the best candidate to take the baton from former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet as executive director of the organisation," Chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality Mfanozelwe Shozi said.
"It is our belief that other women, in particular girl children throughout the continent, will look at this not as a fulfilment of a dream for Mlambo-Ngcuka but a constant reminder that they too can ascend to positions that have global impact," Shozi said.
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka's appointment comes on the eve of South Africa commemorating the 57th anniversary of the historic march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria by thousands of courageous women of all races against discriminatory apartheid-era laws.

Mlambo-Ngcuka, 58, was named for the post on Wednesday.