Zenani Mandela Biography
Born on February 5, 1959, Princess Zenani Mandela-Dlamini is a traditional aristocrat and diplomat from South Africa. She is the daughter of Nelson Mandela and Winnie Mandela, his former spouse, and the sister-in-law of Mswati III, the King of Swatini.
Mandela-Dlamini attended Boston University’s physics department and Waterford Kamhlaba United World College of Southern Africa. She met Prince Thumbumuzi Dlamini in Boston, the older brother of Queen Mantfombi of the Zulus and King Mswati III of Swaziland. Zaziwe (born 1977), Zamaswazi (1979), Zinhle (1980), and Zozuko (1992) are the couple’s four children; they were married in 1973 and are currently divorced. Mandela, Dlamini and Associates (International Business Consultants) is a company they jointly control.
In July 2012, she was named South Africa’s ambassador to Argentina. She was Mandela’s first child to become a public servant. Prior to her appointment as South Africa’s high commissioner to Mauritius in 2017, she held this role.
Following Mandela’s election as president and his divorce from Winnie, Zenani went to his inauguration with her father. Up until her father’s second marriage, she assumed the role of South Africa’s acting First Lady.
Zenani Mandela Early life
Chieftains made up Zenani Mandela’s family at birth. Her father, Nelson, was the heir apparent to the chieftaincy of Mvezo and a direct descendant of the Thembu people’s monarchs. In the end, Mandla, Zenani’s nephew through his grandson, inherited the latter title.
Winnie Mandela was almost born in jail since her father was taken to prison when she was four years old, and he would remain there for the next 27 years. Winnie Mandela was detained shortly after her birth in 1959. Not until 1974, the year she turned fifteen and was able to see him
Zenani Mandela Education
Mandela-Dlamini attended Boston University’s physics department and Waterford Kamhlaba United World College of Southern Africa. There, she met Prince Thumbumuzi Dlamini of Swaziland, who was attending the same university to study science. Prince Thumbumuzi Dlamini is the older brother of Queen Mantfombi of the Zulus and the current king of Swaziland, Mswati III.
The two are currently divorced, but they were married in 1973 and had four children: sons Zinhle (1980) and Zozuko (1992) and daughters Zaziwe (1977) and Zamaswazi (1979), as well as six grandchildren. Prince Cedza Dlamini was one of her husband’s multiple other children from a previous marriage. Mandela, Dlamini and Associates (International Business Consultants) is a company they co-own.
Zenani Mandela Net Worth
Zenani Mandela-Dlamini has a $5 million total net worth. She has made the decision to assist those in need by using her resources and position.
She has devoted her life to ensuring that children from disadvantaged backgrounds have access to high-quality education and has been a steadfast supporter of children’s rights and education.
Zenani Mandela Career
When Zenani Mandela-Dlamini assumed her father’s official spokesman position following his historic victory as South Africa’s president in 1994, her life’s trajectory took an unprecedented shift. Her elegant demeanor and extraordinary capacity for speech connected with a country that was longing for progress and reconciliation. She worked relentlessly to promote inclusivity and empathy while serving as the president’s trusted counselor on social problems, driven by a strong sense of duty.
When Zenani Mandela accepted the post of South Africa’s ambassador to Mozambique in 1999, she demonstrated her skill at diplomacy and her steadfast dedication to fostering peaceful relations. Her reign made a lasting impression and personified the universal spirit of harmony and collaboration.
After leaving the diplomatic field, Zenani Mandela-Dlamini focused on starting the Zenani Mandela Foundation and the non-profit sector. She equips young South African women and girls with the means to prosper and bring about positive change through her admirable undertaking.
The influence of Zenani Mandela-Dlamini goes beyond her involvement in politics and charity. She has transformed into a ray of hope as a committed defender of children’s rights, genuinely improving the lives of innumerable youngsters. Since her appointment as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2002, awareness of the difficulties South African and global children confront has grown.
The Zenani Mandela Foundation, which was founded in 2007, is a manifestation of her steadfast dedication to social justice and education. The foundation is a force for good through a number of programs, including advocacy for peace and reEarconciliation, help for children impacted by HIV/AIDS, and scholarships for girls.
Later activity
The first of Mandela’s children to enter public service, Mandela-Dlamini was named South Africa’s ambassador to Argentina in July 2012 and assumed office in October. She succeeded retiring diplomat and former opposition leader Tony Leon. She held this role until May 2017, at which point she was named the South African ambassador to Mauritius. In October 2019, Princess Zenani Mandela-Dlamini was named South Africa’s envoy to South Korea.
Zenani was selected to go with her father to his inauguration following Mandela’s election as president and his divorce from Winnie. She served as the acting First Lady of South Africa until her father remarried to former First Lady of Mozambique Graça Machel on his 80th birthday.
Zenani Mandela Social Media
- Twitter: Zindzi Mandela (@ZindziMandela)
Zenani Mandela Personal Life
Zenani Mandela-Dlamini’s altruism was evident in her social service career, where she devoted her life to improving the underprivileged Soweto townships. She met and wed Prince Thumbumuzi Dlamini, a fellow opponent of apartheid, during this period. They set off on a journey together, based on love and common values.
In 1985, Zenani Mandela wed Prince Thumbumuzi Dlamini. Prince Cedza Dlamini, Zaziwe Manaway, Zamaswazi Dlamini, Zozuko Dlamini, and Zinhle Dlamini are the five children of Zenani Mandela-Dlamini.
How many children did Zenani Mandela have?
The couple was married in 1973 and had four kids: sons Zinhle (1980) and Zozuko (1992), and daughters Zaziwe (1977) and Zamaswazi (1979). They also had six grandkids, but they are no longer together.
Where was zenani mandela born?
In Gauteng, South Africa, Soweto is a township that is part of the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality. It borders the city’s mining belt to the south. South Western Townships is syllabically shortened to its name in English.
