Addis Ababa, December 14th 2012 – Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, African Union Commission’s Chairperson, received on the 9th December, 2012, the international Renaissance woman of the Year Award 2012, during the annual celebratory event organized in Florence, Italy, by the Palazzo Strozzi Foundation.

The Renaissance Awards, established in 2011 by the Palazzo Strozzi Foundation, aimed at highlighting the ideals of openness, mutual understanding, philanthropy and progress and call upon all people to rediscover the humanistic values of today’s societies.

The choice of Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma by the member of the committee formed by prominent University professors constitutes a particular recognition of the impact she made in social and human causes and global understanding as a civil servant over the course of her life.

Dr. Dlamini Zuma, the first woman elected to chair the African Union Commission, was a politician serving as a Foreign Minister, Interior Minister and Health Minister among others. She was, for decades, an activist in the Nelson Mandel’s underground movement, in her hometown South Africa.

“Dr Dlamini Zuma’s action in fighting poverty and diseases; promoting human rights and gender equality deserves this particular honor”, said the AUC Deputy Chairperson, Erastus Mwencha. Furthermore, he added: This international award recognises and honors an exceptional African woman and the role she continues to play for the benefit of all African citizens as Chairperson of the African Union Commission.”