Ex-South African leader Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka appointed as head of UN Women

The United Nations named former South African Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka to head the gender equality body UN Women on Wednesday, after former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet stepped down to pursue another presidential bid.

Mlambo-Ngcuka, 57, was Deputy President of South Africa under Thabo Mbeki between 2005 and 2008. Bachelet stepped down in March from UN Women, a body for gender equality and the empowerment of women created in 2010.

"Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka brings to this position a wealth of experience in advocating for women's issues, with a combination of strategic leadership, consensus building and hands-on management experience," UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said.