South African Becomes First Woman To Head AU.

South African Minister of Foreign Affairs Maite Nkoana-Mashabane,left, congratulates new AU Commision chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma

South Africa’s Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma won a closely fought election to become the new head of the African Union Commission, the first woman to hold the post, African leaders said.She is also the Minister of Home Affairs and South African president Jacob Zuma’s former wife.
Most refer to her as a woman of strength and vision, who participated in the fight for South Africa’s independence and remains a vigilant of Africa’s continued advocacy for reform of the global governance architecture.
She beat the incumbent, Jean Ping of Gabon, after several rounds of voting.
“Now we have the African Union chair Madame Zuma, who will preside over the destiny of this institution,” Benin’s president and current AU chairman Thomas Boni Yayi said. Dlamini-Zuma, 63, an experienced diplomat, is a veteran of the fight against apartheid. A doctor by training, she has served as health, interior and foreign minister in South Africa. Her victory brings to an end an impasse that has lasted for the past six months. Her former husband, South African President Jacob Zuma, was one of the first to offer his congratulations after the vote.
“It means a lot for Africa... for the continent, unity and the empowerment of women -- very important,” Zuma said. Voting took place at an AU summit.