THE University of Johannesburg has appointed former deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka as its new chancellor.

Her five-year term will run from 1 October 2022 until 30 September 2027.

Mlambo-Ngcuka is the former United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women and former deputy president.

She will succeed Professor Njabulo Ndebele, whose second five-year term as chancellor ends on 30 September.

Mlambo-Ngcuka was a member of the first South African democratically elected Parliament in 1994, first as deputy minister in the Department of Trade and Industry (1994 – 1996) and as minister of Minerals and Energy (1999 – 2005).

She is currently engaged and affiliated with organisations committed to education, women empowerment, and gender equality. Such affiliations include the Umlambo Foundation, the Global Partnership and Fund to End Violence Against Children, African Leadership Academy and the Mandela Rhodes Foundation.

UJ Registrar, Professor Kinta Burger, said Mlambo-Ngcuka’s will be inaugurated later in the year.

“UJ’s approach to impact reflects the UN Sustainable Development Goals – something that Dr. Mlambo-Ngcuka, in her capacity as Executive Director of UN Women, has cherished and led. Indeed, she embodies all the UJ values and aspirations, values, where equality, diversity and inclusivity have been part of the University’s success story.”