On Monday, October 13, 2012, the new head of the African Union, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who became the first female to hold the position when she was elected earlier this year, took office during a special handing over ceremony at the AU Headquarters in Ethiopia.
Dlamini Zuma, who is credited for her work during her tenure as South Africa’s health and foreign affairs minister, made Africa’s peace and security challenges a priority in her inaugural speech, vowing to address those threatening problems immediately.
"We will spare no efforts to try and resolve conflicts in Mali and the Sahelian region, the crisis that has the potential to spread across the region and even the continent."
Dlamini-Zuma, a veteran of the fight against apartheid, also vowed to address economic issues, ensure women’s rights, and help foster good health and education across the continent.
Surely, expectations are high for the fist female head of the African Union, but we are happy to see the recent rise of well-endowed women who are leading Africa in various ways. We hope that Dlamini-Zuma, through her influence and impact as the head of the AU will join the pool of women who are making history and proving that women have a lot to contribute towards the African Renaissance.
