Her Excellency, Ms Lindiwe Mabuza, was born in Newcastle, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa.

She began her career in 1962 teaching English and Zulu Literature at Manzini Central School in Swaziland, followed by lecturing in the Department of Sociology at the University of Minnesota.

Between 1969 and 1979 she became Assistant Professor of Literature and History at Ohio University and then moved to Zambia to take up a position as a radio journalist with the African National Congress's Radio Freedom. She was also Editor of the Voice of Women, a journal by African National Congress women, and Chairperson of the African National Congress Cultural Committee in Zambia.

Her publications include: "Malibongwe", "One Never Knows" - poetry and short stories by African Congress Women; "From ANC to Sweden", "Letter to Letta", "Africa to me", "Voices that Lead" - poetry collections.

During the period of 1979 to 1987 she represented the African National Congress in Scandinavian countries based in Sweden. She facilitated the opening of African National Congress offices in Denmark, Norway and Finland. From 1989 to 1994 she was the Chief Representative of the African National Congress to the United States and opened an office in Washington DC.

In 1994 she was a Member of the first democratic Parliament in South Africa.

In 1995 to 1999 she was Ambassador of the first democratic government to the Federal Republic of Germany.

She was High Commissioner to Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam (non-resident) as well as Ambassador to the Philippines (non-resident) 1999-2001.

She became High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa in the United Kingdom in 2001.

She holds a BA degree, a Diploma in Home Economics, an MA in English, an MA in American Studies, and a Diploma in Diplomatic Training. She has also received an honorary Doctorate from Durban Westville South Africa, and the Yari Yari Award for Human Rights and Literature from New York University.

In 2003 she received an Honorary Doctorate from University of Edinburgh.